Stellenbosch Municipality will soon be running its next hospitality training programme, with the aim of tackling the high unemployment rate in the local community.
The Mayoral Youth Skills Development Programme is an annual programme that operates in partnership with eXtraordinary Solutions, according to Stuart Grobbelaar, spokesperson of Stellenbosch Municipality. The next training programme starts 15 September, he said.
eXtraordinary Solutions is a recruitment and skills development agency that services the “hotel, tourism, hospitality, healthcare & service related industries”, according to their website.
The Mayoral Youth Skills Development Programme is an annual programme that Stellenbosch Municipality runs in partnership with eXtraordinary Solutions. “It has been running for years and has already assisted hundreds of unemployed young people from our communities with skills development and training,” said Stuart Grobbelaar, spokesperson of Stellenbosch Municipality. PHOTO: Kyra Rensburg
“This programme aims to address the high unemployment rate among local youth and the need for skills development in the Stellenbosch area,” said Jessica Hudson, the director and co-partner of eXtraordinary Solutions, in written correspondence with MatieMedia.
In 2019, the unemployment rate in Stellenbosch stood at 11.3% – the second highest unemployment rate in the Cape Winelands District. This was according to the Western Cape government’s 2020 Socio-Economic Profile of Stellenbosch.
Theoretical training
Twelve learners between the ages of 18 and 25 have been selected to complete a Five Star Table Attendant Training Programme over three months, said Grobbelaar.
“The course entails […] theoretical training, as well as practical training at a hospitality establishment,” said Grobbelaar.
For the theoretical training, learners have to complete the Waitering Attendant Training
Programme at NQF Level 2, said Hudson.
Jessica Hudson spearheads the Waitering Attendant Training Programme at eXtraordinary Solutions. “This experience taught me a lot. I’ve learnt how to be confident and believe in myself. I’ve learnt how to pour wine, open a corked bottle and how to take orders and serve food,” said Kaylin van Niekerk, a recent graduate of Stellenbosch Municipality’s annual Mayoral Youth Skills Development Programme. PHOTO: Sourced/eXtraordinary Solutions
“Strong components of the training programme include: how to provide magical customer service, the technical service skills, dealing with complaints and exceeding guest expectations,” said Hudson.
Through the waitering attendant project, eXtraordinary Solutions aims to foster young people’s talents and provide them with employment opportunities, said Hudson.
“Many of the learners following this training opportunity further their development and growth in the hospitality industry by securing contract or permanent employment,” said Hudson.
Practical training
Once learners have completed the theoretical training, they are sent to do their on-the-job training at Hazendal Wine Estate, said Hudson.
“Hazendal Wine Estate provides the ideal platform by giving the learners practical exposure and experience across their food and beverage venues,” according to Hudson.
Learners work in the different departments at Hazendal Wine Estate, according to their skills and interests, said Michellene Leo, the Hazendal Wine Estate marketing and PR manager.
“It’s about investing in the youth and giving opportunities to those who are interested in hospitality,” said Leo.
In a written review of the programme, Dillion Travis Johnson, a graduate of the 2019 Mayoral Youth Skills Development Programme, said that the course afforded him the confidence and skills for every situation in the workplace.
“I walk away with the burning urge of wanting to do something with my life. Plenty of skills and an irreplaceable amount of knowledge,” said Johnson.
Pascal Allen, a co-partner of eXtraordinary Solutions, speaks about the Mayoral Youth Skills Development Programme as a collaboration between Stellenbosch Municipality and eXtraordinary Solutions. VIDEO: Sourced/Pascal Allen