Optima College

Situated in Pretoria, Optima College is the first tertiary (Further Education and Training) institute for blind and partially sighted people. It offers vocational training in the computer and call centre fields, to people of all groups and areas of South Africa, and beyond.

Click the links for more information on Computer Training, Braille Literacy, Call Centre Training, Fee Structure and Entry Criteria.

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Computer Training

Computer training at the Skills Development Division of the South African National Council for the Blind, offers students the opportunity to learn basic software - including word processing and spreadsheet programmes, Internet and e-mail as well as how to use either screen-reader or screen-magnification software to access these programmes.

The training is outcome-based and the training material is aligned to SAQA Unit Standards. All students go through an assessment process before the start of the course in order to determine the level of skill they have already achieved.

The course runs over 5 months and two cycles are offered per year, where a maximum of 30 students can be accommodated per cycle.

Training schedule January – June 2010:

MODULE	DURATION
Diagnostic Assessment & Induction	11 – 15 January 2010
Typing & Keyboard Orientation	18 – 29 January 2010
Access Technology (Jaws / Supernova)	01 – 05 February 2010
Microsoft Windows	08 February – 05  March 2010
Microsoft Word	08 March – 30 April 2010
Break	01 – 12 April 2010
Microsoft Excel	03 – 21 May 2010
E-Mail & Internet	24 May – 11 June 2010
Assistive Devices	14 June 2010
Closing (Graduation)	15 June 2010

Training Schedule July – December 2010:

MODULE	DURATION
Diagnostic Assessment & Induction	05 – 09 July 2010
Typing & Keyboard Orientation	12 – 23 July 2010
Access Technology (Jaws / Supernova)	26 – 30 July 2010
Microsoft Windows	02 – 27 August 2010
Microsoft Word	30 –August – 15 October 2010
Break	23 September  – 01 October 2010
Microsoft Excel	18 Oct 05 November 2010
E-Mail & Internet	08 – 26 November 2010
Assistive Devices	29 November 2010
Closing (Graduation)	02 December 2010

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Braille literacy
Students are taught how to read and write in braille, giving them access to books and magazines and enabling them to record information for personal use.

Call Centre training
Opticall, the SANCB's own call centre, has two accredited facilitators who train visually impaired learners in Call Centre support on a NQF level 2 qualification. 

Endorsed by Damelin and the Services Seta – which, together with the South African Revenue Service (SARS), is also one of our biggest clients – our high quality training has three components, namely:

1. Soft skills training e.g. stress management, time management, communication skills and selling skills.
2. Computer training e.g. Windows XP, Internet, e-mail and excel.
3. Simulation training where inbound and outbound scenarios are simulated.

So far, Opticall has trained 45 blind and partially sighted call centre operators. Opticall offers all the traditional benefits of outsourcing in addition to a strong element of corporate social responsibility.

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Fees
Please contact us for information related to current fees for tuition and hostel accommodation.

Tel.Funzani Ramugondo on 012-452 3811 or e-mail Funzani@sancb.org.za

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Entry criteria
The minimum admission qualification for the above courses is Grade 12 (matric), but persons with Grade 10 (std 8) will also be considered on merit. The successful completion of a computer literacy course is a prerequisite for call centre training.

It is assumed that students who apply for the vocational training courses at Optima College, have gone through independence training and are thus able to take care of themselves in terms of food preparation, laundry, cleaning of rooms and bathrooms, etc.

Only a limited number of students can be admitted for tuition and a selection of candidates will therefore be made.

The financial arrangements are as follows:
Hostel accommodation:  payable monthly in advance.

Tuition:  payable in full during or at the end of the course, or according to an arrangement between the student and the Finance Department of the SANCB.

Students are invited to click here for application form. Completed forms may be returned to agnes@sancb.org.za or faxed for attention Agnes to 012 3461149

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