We live in an age where computers are very important for our daily lives, we use computers at work and for other things in life. It’s very important for each and everyone of us to know how to use computers. This is a guide on how to start a computer training centre in South Africa.
Overview
A lot of people in South Africa don’t know how to use computers, this is something that might surprise you if you are part of the middle class. It’s important to remember that over 50% of South Africans live below the upper bound poverty line that is around R1 200. The price of a laptop is around R4 500 on the lower end.
There are still a lot of households without any laptops or computers, that’s because these machines are above most people’s budgets. Which is why internet cafés exist, most jobs require the candidate to be computer literate and be able to use the Microsoft office software. Most schools don’t have computer centres, this then becomes a huge disadvantage to people who have not used a computer before.
The main role of a computer centre is to bridge this gap and equip people from disadvantaged backgrounds with computer skills. Computer literacy is very important as we move towards the fourth industrial revolution.
Choose a location
Computer centres are closely related to internet cafés, you can’t setup a computer centre in a high-income neighbourhood. Most people in high-income neighbourhoods have computers and good access to the internet. It’s best to take your services to people who actually need them. This can be a township or rural area.
There are a lot of people who can benefit from having a computer centres, especially in rural areas and poorer townships. Make sure it’s in an area that is accessible to a lot of people.
Build or lease operating premises
This will be one of the most expensive things, especially if you choose to build. You need a really big rectangular room to build a computer centre. There are just not enough of those in most rural areas or townships. You can lease one if you are lucky to find it, otherwise you might lease a really small space as a computer centre.
Renovating the premises
You are going to renovate the operating premises to make them feel more like a computer centre. You might be leasing a building that used to be a church or even clinic, you will need to make some upgrades. Computer centre renovations are mostly minimal, you just have to make sure that the flooring is good and that there is enough ventilation. You may also need to repaint the wall and fix some broken things.
Buying the equipment
This will likely be your biggest cost, especially if you want to open a big computer centre, computers are expensive; very expensive. You will have to buy a lot of computers and desks; this also depends on how many people you want to train but we can put the minimum at 15.
Computer centre equipment is very expensive, this is money that you need upfront, unless you are running as a non-profit organization; where you would seek donations.
Security upgrades
Having that many computers will definitely attract people with bad intentions. You have to put in heavy security to make sure that thieves don’t break in and steal all your expensive equipment. Thieves are known to break in at schools just too steal computers, your computer centre will be a big target.
Certification
You will need to provide your students with certificates when they complete the course, especially if you are running this as a business. It’s also best to make sure that these certificates are accredited, that way they will be able to add them on their CVs.
Marketing
You will also have to do some marketing for your computer training centre. There is a high chance that people will quickly take notice of it, a computer centre is not exactly invisible, most of your students will come as a result of word of mouth. You can also target companies and offer to train their employees.
Conclusion
This was a guide on how to start a computer training centre in South Africa. Do you have any thoughts or questions? Comment below.
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samuel
29 Jun 2021thank you for your valuable information and i need clarity on some information,i want to open a computer business center i have most of the things needed to start but i do not know how to go about the certificate accreditation for my center. Can you please assist?
Faola jack
5 Aug 2021Good Day am Jack am having an internet Café and i want to start a computer school as i see the need, can you help me i dont know how to start
KayTalkz
1 Oct 2021Hi Faola Jackin in case your still need clarity regarding accreditation.
Providers of education and training must apply for accreditation with an Education and Training Quality Assurance (ETQA) body under the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)(link is external). All providers of education and training offering full qualifications must be registered with the Department of Education.
Trudie Grove` Morgan
24 Jun 2022Gooodday I need to start a computer school in my area where I can assist young people so that they can be trained and are able to get employment.
Please assist me how to go about starting the computer school.