EXCLUSIVE EXPOSÉ: Samsung’s Secret to Creating a Generation of Code Slaves
In a shocking revelation, Samsung SA has been secretly training a new batch of 18 young people in a year-long, intensive training programme designed to turn them into code slaves. The "Advance Industry Experience" programme, in partnership with Tshimologong Digital Precinct, has been quietly churning out graduates with software skills, paving the way for them to enter the local ICT job market.
But is this really a victory for the young people involved, or is it just another example of corporate exploitation? Critics argue that the programme is nothing more than a way for Samsung to create a pool of cheap, obedient labor to fuel their profits.
"The ICT industry often demands years of experience from job-seekers, which can be a significant barrier for fresh graduates," says Lenhle Khoza, B-BBEE and transformation manager at Samsung. But is this really a barrier, or is it just a convenient excuse for companies to avoid hiring fresh talent and instead opt for experienced, overqualified workers who are willing to work for peanuts?
The programme, which is part of Samsung’s Equity Equivalent Investment Programme, is aimed at bridging the gap between academic knowledge and practical industry experience. But what does this really mean? Is it just a euphemism for "we’re going to take these young people and turn them into indentured servants, forcing them to work long hours for minimal pay and no benefits"?
The 18 interns, who were selected based on their IT tertiary qualifications, were provided with intensive mentorship under the guidance of senior developers. But what kind of mentorship? Was it just a way for Samsung to indoctrinate these young people with their corporate values and make them loyal only to the company?
The programme focuses on technical skills and emphasizes real-world project experience and professional mentorship. But what kind of projects? Were they just a way for Samsung to exploit these young people’s skills for their own gain, without providing them with any real sense of fulfillment or purpose?
Since its inception, the programme has seen 35 graduates from the last three cohorts securing formal employment, representing 100% absorption. But what does this really mean? Is it just a way for Samsung to boast about their "success" in creating a pool of cheap labor, or is it a genuine attempt to create a more diverse and inclusive workforce?
From the current cohort of 18 graduates, six have already obtained formal employment, while the remaining 12 are undergoing interviews with prospective employers. But what kind of employment? Is it just a way for Samsung to continue exploiting these young people, or is it a genuine attempt to provide them with a sense of purpose and fulfillment?
"We are proud to contribute to reducing unemployment and fostering job creation. We wish our graduates the best in their future careers and hope they maintain a strong connection with Tshimologong," concludes Mark Harris, CEO of Tshimologong Digital Precinct. But is this really a genuine attempt to reduce unemployment, or is it just a way for Samsung to create a pool of cheap labor to fuel their profits?
The truth is out: Samsung’s "Advance Industry Experience" programme is nothing more than a way for the company to create a generation of code slaves, exploiting the skills and labor of young people for their own gain.
