Igqwetha Training Academy

Its first course, the ITA Para-Legal Course in Conveyancing [Level 1], is being offered to prospective candidates with suitable administrative/secretarial qualifications and/or skills, and aims is to train students to become conveyancing paralegals.

A maximum of 12 students will be accommodated on the course in order to ensure optimum individual attention. The first course commences on Thursday 22nd July 2004 (applications must be submitted before 7 July 2004, and a pre-admission assessment will be held on Monday 12 July). It will be conducted over a period of 9 weeks everyday from Monday to Friday from 09H00 to 13H00, after which period the students will be examined on knowledge and skills acquired. Certificates will be awarded to those students who pass.

Although this first course is aimed at full time-students Buchanan Boyes Smith Tabata are aware of the need for an after hours course and will hopefully soon be able to provide more information in this regard. The next course is scheduled to begin in October 2004.

What makes the ITA paralegal course in conveyancing truly unique is the comprehensive exposure to all facets of conveyancing that students will experience. Students will be taught the basic theory and practice of conveyancing and will be provided with the knowledge and skills needed in order for them to find employment as conveyancing paralegals/secretaries. Each student will have access to state of the art computer equipment for the duration of the course, and will also be trained on the Ghostconvey software for transfers and bonds.

A key focus area of ITA is to provide skills and upliftment training to inter alia, previously disadvantaged people. Such applicants are welcome to apply for bursaries that are available from Buchanan Boyes Smith Tabata to enable them to study for free. At the same time it has to be noted that Buchanan Boyes Smith Tabata's aim is to provide top-level graduates, and for this reason we have set definite entry-level requirements.

Lizelle Kilbourn is the Training Manager. She is a qualified conveyancer who brings with her a wealth of not only conveyancing knowledge but also tutoring skills, having lectured to conveyancers and their staff for many years. She has been instrumental in preparing the course material and her approach is to relay information and explain difficult legal concepts in a comprehensive and simple manner. "Make it easy to understand" is her motto.

Buchanan Boyes Smith Tabata is in the process of applying for accreditation of Igqwetha/ the course by the POSLEC Seta and will be able to report progress on this aspect later on in the year.

Buchanan Boyes Smith Tabata is truly proud of this initiative. Find their website at buchananboyes.com and follow the link to Igqwetha Training Academy for more information. E-mail Lizelle Kilbourn or phone her at 021 406 9100.