Craig Venter
CEO, Altech and Patron of The Altech Academy

Qualifications:
BSc (Econ) (UCLA); BA (Psychology) (UCLA);
MBA (USC); MSc (Mgmt Science) (USC); MsBA (USC)

 Altech prides itself in being an innovative leader in technology, and we pride ourselves even more in our people. South Africa has a skills shortage, particularly in the ICT sector, and Altech is therefore at the core of this national challenge. The very essence of the challenge has given rise to the formation of a virtual institution, specific to the industry. We see this as an opportunity not only to nurture the vast talent within the company but also to retain Altech’s most valuable asset, its people.With the intention of turning Altech’s talent into tomorrow’s stars, we decided to establish an internal institution that would allow us to develop and foster talent within the Altech Group. After careful deliberation as to the specific needs of the Group and the industry in which we operate, we created the Altech Academy.

This institution is not designed to be a broad-spectrum faculty but one that is tailor-made to meet the requirements of Group and industry alike. Altech Academy candidates will be developing their skills, adding value to themselves and Altech while enhancing their careers. Our very own honorary patron, Dr Bill Venter, Chairman of Altron, is an inspiration in self-growth, having recently earned his D.Phil. Despite his mature years, Dr Venter continues to add to his countless outstanding achievements and unceasingly demonstrates his commitment to education with his unquenchable thirst for knowledge. His commitment has inspired the Altech Academy’s focus on the strength of the company’s human resource through continual training in new and updated technologies, which will ensure that employees excel in our fast-paced and ever-changing industry.

The academy’s ‘halls of learning’ will reach out to all people who have been scouted as prospective leaders in the Group and to Altech employees who wish to enrich their career development. The Altech Academy will provide exceptional learning programmes that are outcome-based and integrated with existing educational frameworks.

The Altech Academy has formed partnerships with formidable higher-learning institutions to develop a world-class, company-specific and industry-specific virtual business school that offers superlative programmes leading to certificates, diplomas and degrees. These credible programmes are accredited by an international centre of excellence in the development of the management of technology, innovation, people, and systems thinking.

The Altech Academy will focus on positioning Altech for greater success through its technology, innovation and – above all – its people while contributing towards the Group’s efforts to become a preferred employer.

As patron of the newly founded Altech Academy, I urge you to embrace Altech’s latest and probably most valuable ingenuity. I invite you to peruse this prospectus, where you will find the tools to chisel out a shapely career path while we proudly cultivate globally recognized skills within our dynamic organization and our remarkable country.