Madibeng proffessional cookery programme candidates prepare for practical work experience

BRITS – In May 2023, the National Department of Tourism, in collaboration with Networx for Career Development, invited applicants from the North West Province to apply for a 12 month Professional Cookery Programme. The programme targeted unemployed youth, aged 18 – 35, with a Matric Certificate or, preferably, a Tourism and Hospitality qualification.

This tourism learnership programme commenced on the 23rd of July 2023. The first three months have been spent in the classroom covering theory. On Thursday, 19 October 2023, as the theory leg of the programme draws to an end, Cllr Lerato Ratlou and Cllr Tsholo Khutoane met with the group to play oversight on the programme as Council Portfolio Committee 3 members. They ascertained from the candidates how they came to know about the learnership and their experience so far.

The candidates reported that they saw posters at their local community halls, libraries and municipal satellite offices, and they expressed satisfaction with the programme’s progress. The candidates also heard from past participants who shared about how this programme significantly impacted the trajectory of their lives.

Katlego Rantshabo and Ofentse Mmope, who participated in this learnership in 2014, gave moving and inspiring testimonies of what they have achieved since completing the programme. Mr Rantshabo, who is now a Resort Senior Duty Manager at Kingdom Resort in Sun International (Sun City), spoke of the importance of commitment, responsibility and humility in the work place in order to attract opportunities and have upward mobility.

He reminded them that there is always someone watching. Mr Mmope, who is a Front of House Manager at Motswari Private Game Reserve in Phalabhorwa, encouraged the candidates to offer to do more than their duties in order to gain experience and warned them against workplace distractions.

This EPWP learnership programme aims to widen employment opportunities for the youth in the hospitality and tourism sector. Once the classroom work is completed, Madibeng Local Municipality’s LED has arranged with local hospitality businesses to give the candidates work experience (unpaid), while the National Department of Tourism continues to provide them with a monthly stipend until the end of the programme.