GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - More than 140 young people from Bitou and Knysna recently started with a 12-month accredited hospitality learnership programme with an induction meeting between all participants.
The learnership programme is facilitated and managed by Networx Career Development, an accredited training and quality assurance service provider located in Johannesburg, in partnership with the national Department of Tourism.
The learnership offers two types of courses: Food & Beverage Services NQF L4 and/or Accommodation Services NQF L2.
During training, a monthly stipend of R2 200 is paid to the learners, to cover incidental expenses.
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Networx has been recruiting and training learnerships in Bitou since 2010. One of the first learners of the 2010 contingent, Lizel Swemmers – who is now a fully accredited and qualified ETD (education, training & development) practitioner, will be a lead facilitator during the programme and she has been instrumental in the mobilisation towards the implementation of this learnership in Bitou.
This is the largest group of trainees from Bitou since 2010. Recruits from other municipalities include Beaufort West (45), Prince Albert (50, Oudtshoorn (85), George (30), Knysna (37) and Mossel Bay (55).
During the training, the trainees will also be placed in establishments within the hospitality, food and beverage and accommodation sectors. The training gives the learners all the necessary entrance requirements for the mentioned sectors.
Duncan Meyer, youth and sports development coordinator at Bitou Municipality, along with Networx will facilitate job opportunities and placement at the host employers and various other establishments beyond the training programme, through the establishment of meaningful partnerships and networking with industry players.
On 20 June, Bitou mayor Peter Lobese addressed the successful recruits at the Piesang Valley Community Hall in Plettenberg Bay as they started their first day of the programme. The mayor reflected on the importance of youth development, education and training and urged the recruits to successfully complete the programme.
The programme is funded from the Expanded Public Works Programme and targets young people between the ages of 18 and 35.
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