UCS Foundation
The UCS Foundation is the new home for all of the UCS Group’s Corporate Social Investment Programmes. The plan is for 75% of the funds to be directed toward Skills Development including Learnerships, and 25% be allocated to Community Development Projects. Tying in with the Group’s intention to increase its ICT skills base, the new strategy is timed to positively impact Skills Development and Employment Equity over the next 2-3 years.
The UCS Foundation is focused on the belief that creating a skilled pool of ICT professionals would positively benefit the South African economy. This ties into both the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Labour’s programmes for Youth Internships and Learnerships. Both aim to increase skills development and employment opportunities for historically disadvantaged South Africans through a mix of technical training and on-the-job learning assignments.
Previous Social Responsibility activities in the group have included bursaries for up to 9 WITS students at a time reading for a range of degrees, as well as grants for PEPPS College in Polakwane and Khanyisa College, Giyani. Currently, 6 of these students are also employed during their vacations at UCS. In addition, the UCS Group promotes the community project Tswelopele, through the sale of their handmade bags and other items.
Recent addition to the UCS Group, UCS Solutions, have their own Education Trust Fund supported by volunteer staff efforts and donations. Their strategy over the past six years has been to assist the families of staff and others to afford schooling as well as tertiary education. To date, R500 000 has been awarded for 135 bursaries. They have also supported Reach for a Dream, and are currently looking to provide support to Kids Haven.
UCS Group established the UCS Foundation to drive its corporate social investment (CSI) initiatives. In line with the developments within the ICT Charter & Scorecard, the UCS Foundation has defined its scope to focus on CSI programmes and projects
