Development of ‘Soft Skills’ through extra-curricular project work: The case of the Jozi Digital Ambassadors Project in Johannesburg, South Africa

Abstract

The primary focus of engineering curricula is technical competence. However, literature suggests that a common shortcoming of engineering graduates pertains to so-called ‘softer’ skills such as leadership, team work, time management and communication. Although not core to engineering activity, these competencies are important in the workplace and included in the exit level outcomes of accredited degrees. Development of these competencies can occur by giving engineering students the opportunity of involvement in extra-curricular projects that develop such complementary competencies. This paper discusses the Jozi Digital Ambassadors Project as one such opportunity. The project was launched by the City of Johannesburg, and aimed to roll-out free Wi-Fi to 700 000 Johannesburg residents who previously had no access to free public internet. A further aim was to provide training to these residents regarding how to access the free Wi-Fi and the online services offered by the City. ‘Digital Ambassadors’, unemployed young people who reside in the areas concerned, were appointed to undertake this training on behalf of the City. The University of Johannesburg, tasked with providing mentorship to these ambassadors, identified engineering students who were appointed as mentors. Structured interviews with the mentors were conducted at different stages of the project. The focus of the interviews was on the students' motivation to participate in the project and their skills development. The development of complementary competencies was one of the factors that motivated the students to join the project and their involvement in the Digital Ambassadors project gave them opportunities to develop leadership and communication skills in a way that the formal university curriculum did not.