Twenty students from the Overstrand are looking forward to a bright future in the hospitality sector after completing an intense one-year course.
The Food Safety Assurers Training Programme, initiated by the Western Cape Department of Tourism in August 2021 as a one-year training initiative, targets unemployed youth for broadening employment opportunities in the hospitality and tourism sector.
With more than 30 years of culinary training to its credit the Warwick Professional Chef Training School was selected to teach the students while the Tourism Business Institute of SA managed operational requirements.
Overstrand Cape Whale Coast Tourism assisted with the recruitment of 20 students from the total of 113 selected to participate in the Western Cape. It also facilitated the placement of the students with hosts.
The skills programme continued for a period of 12 months and 16 successful Overstrand candidates completed the training on 30 July 2022. Graduation is planned for later this year.
One student decided to continue her studies and was accepted at Boland College while another started her own business. The other students are now employed at CanD’s Kitchen in Hermanus, Bay Lodge in De Kelders, Creation, La Vierge, Feedem Catering, Arabella Hotel and The Rock among others.
Overstrand Executive Mayor Dr Annelie Rabie congratulated the students and thanked Kevin and Sumien Warwick for their role in increasing employment opportunities in the tourism and hospitality industry.
“I am proud of our Overstrand youth for taking opportunities and making the most of skills training programmes at a critical time when tourism is recovering,” she said. “I wish them well in their future endeavours and trust it will serve them well on the road to success.”