The Postal Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) has graduated thirty persons with disabilities at Queen of Peace Rehabilitation Centre in Gweru, yesterday, as part of its ongoing Basic ICTs Skills Training program happening countrywide.
The five-day training workshop is a collaboration between the Regulator and the Internet Society of Zimbabwe aimed at advancing digital inclusion and initiatives that prioritize accessibility of digital technologies and services.
Speaking on the sidelines of the graduation, Potraz Deputy Director for the Universal Services Fund (USF) and Postal Services Tichafa Mujuru said the Basic ICT Skills Training began last year and is targeting the training of over 200 people with disabilities this year.
"The Basic ICT Skills training is part of the many initiatives by Potraz to extend ICT services to under privileged communities.
"To date we have trained an excess of 200 people. We started last year with Mashonaland West, we then moved to Masvingo and we also went to Bulawayo Province so we have been moving from Province to Province and the target this year is to train 210 persons with disabilities in Basic ICT Training," he said.
Shepherd Chifamba, the lead trainer from the Internet Society of Zimbabwe, said the trainings teach computer basics and are hoping that there will be a follow up program to further equip persons with disabilities with specific ICT skills.
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“We have trained them to use Microsoft Word, Excel, Edge and PowerPoint, and how to create as well as use emails and social media platforms.
“We are hoping that there will be a follow up program that will then look at specific skills for example graphic designing where we select the participants that we see who perform better," said Chifamba.
Meanwhile, the trainings are also set to reach Matebeleland North and Matebeleland South provinces.