A new pre-army junior college will be opening at the AMIT Elaine Silver Technological High School in Beersheva, and it will play a critical role in helping the Israeli Army maintain its advanced computer systems. As the first co-ed training college of its kind, it will also play a critical role in helping young women train to become computer technicians and engineers.
The program is expected to open in September 2018.
The Israel Defense Forces and the Education Ministry have approved the creation of the program, which will train young men and women to become computer technicians and engineers. After completing grades 13 and 14, the students will enter the army equipped to manage and provide support for all computer hardware and software systems across all of the army’s corps.
Suitable candidates will be able to defer their army service to attend the junior college, where they can obtain a full bagrut (matriculation), and then enter the army as computer engineers and technicians. Some students will also be eligible for scholarships to help offset tuition costs.
Dr. Yaron Naim, who has a rich educational and pedagogic background, will serve as director of the junior college.
Tzipi Harpenes, principal of AMIT Elaine Silver, said there are currently hundreds of computer support positions that need to be filled in the Israeli workforce. “We believe that 12th-grade students seeking a relevant profession for the future can become integrated in this field both in the army and in civilian life afterward. There is great demand for such engineers.”
