Local Economic Development

Alex Youth selected for Hospitality Training

Updated: September 2007 | Source: ARP                                                          Click for update further down this page

On the 26 September, ten excited young adults from Alexandra boarded a bus to begin the long journey to Grahamstown where they will be take part in a bridging programme aimed at the Tourism and Hospitality industry.

Funded by the Swiss-South African Co-operation Initiative (SSACI) and managed by the St Aidan's Project, this initiative has been charged with the training of 100 youths per year, drawn from South African cities that will be hosting the 2010 World Cup.

The programme consists of a combination of life skills and hospitality technical skill training, including assessments and a lengthy internship in one of a large variety of partner hotels.

The learners receive certificates on completion of their training, indicating which National Unit Standards each learner has successfully completed. 65% of these young people are expected to be employed in either full or part-time jobs on completion of their training.

The Alexandra Renewal project played a key role in the identification and selection of the Alexandra candidates and facilitated the implementation of their internship. As part of its Local Economic Development programme, the ARP supports and funds the Alexandra Tourist Business Association.

Some of the new trainees as they leave for Grahamstown.
Back row L-R: K. Nkomo, M. Hlanguza, T. Mfoma, P. Sithole (ARP CLO),
Front row: N Sulupha (ARP CLO), T. Alidzulwi, B. Ciloane, L. Buthelezi, Darlene Louw (ARP).

Updated: November 2007 | Source: ARP

Back in Johannesburg after their initial training in Grahamstown, the students have one month to complete four projects before being placed in hotels and resorts around Johannesburg for a 4 month internship.

The projects they need to complete are:

1. Establish a business where each student has to make a profit of at least R750.00 (This will help with transport during the learners internship.)
2. Create 2 menus
3. A tourism project
4. A labour law project.

In addition, the ARP is working to create a synergy between the students and the current RAW project, in the hope that the students will be able to manage and run this new community meeting place once the rehabilitation of the building is complete.