The partnership will see ALX, known for its commitment to nurturing tech talent across the continent, working with Google to provide upskilling opportunities and introduce graduates to the rapidly evolving tech industry.
Fostering future tech talent in South Africa
The collaboration aims to identify and develop the next wave of data centre technicians through hands-on training and exposure to real-world tech environments and will offer learners the opportunity to gain insight into Google’s Data Centre operations while learning essential skills in hardware, operating systems and networking.
“South Africa has a wealth of untapped tech talent and we want to ensure young people are exposed to world-class education and a myriad of career opportunities,” said Data Centre IT infrastructure manager at Google, Elliot Mokoena.
The hardware hackathon: A gateway to tech careers
To launch the initiative, Google and ALX are hosting the first-ever Hardware Hackathon in South Africa. This event, previously held in Australia, Japan and France, will gather 20 selected learners from ALX’s talent pool for a problem-solving experience at the Braamfontein Hub.
During the hackathon, participants will be tasked with solving complex server hardware, Linux and networking-related challenges. The goal is to simulate real-world scenarios that data centre technicians face and to give students a taste of what working at a Google Data Centre entails.
Participants will also compete for exciting prizes while the event serves as a pipeline for Google to identify potential candidates for future employment.
“This event is not only about technical skill development; it’s also about community building and inspiring a more diverse, inclusive tech industry,” added Mokoena.
A growing tech community
ALX’s role in the partnership is pivotal. With its diverse and talented student base, ALX provides Google with access to a talent pool ready to enter the tech industry. Through this partnership, ALX will continue equipping young Africans with the skills needed for the fourth industrial revolution. Google, in turn, benefits from a strong network of future leaders already shaped by ALX’s world-class training.
“Our collaboration with Google is a major milestone in our journey to empower African youth with in-demand tech skills,” said Divesh Sooka, General Manager of ALX South Africa. “By hosting the first Hardware Hackathon in South Africa, we are giving learners a platform to showcase their talents and demonstrate the immense potential in Africa’s tech ecosystem.”
ALX aims to curb unemployment in Africa by enabling two million young professionals to secure dignified and meaningful work opportunities by 2030. This partnership amplifies ALX’s mission to provide students with access to world-class tech training programmes that are affordable and accessible, shaping the future of South Africa’s youth and economy by fostering a new g
