Media Release:  ETDPSETA Cybersecurity Learners Receive Project Clarification During Hessequa Outreach

17 June 2026

The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), through its Garden Route Skills Mecca (GRSM) initiative, recently participated in an outreach programme aimed at supporting learners enrolled in the Education, Training and Development (ETDP) Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) Cybersecurity Programme in the Hessequa municipal area.

The outreach took place in Slangrivier, Albertinia, and Riversdale, giving learners the opportunity to meet with project representatives and receive important updates about the programme.

The sessions were facilitated by Thembani Loliwe and Reginald Salmons, with support from the Garden Route Skills Mecca Technician Renola Abrahams, who is based at Hessequa Municipality. The outreach focused on addressing concerns raised by learners and providing clarity on various aspects of the project, particularly matters relating to learner stipends and programme implementation.

During the engagements, learners were encouraged to ask questions and raise any concerns. Representatives explained stipend payments, programme expectations, learner responsibilities, and other administrative matters to help learners better understand the programme and the opportunities available to them.

According to Thembani, the outreach is part of the project’s ongoing commitment to support learners throughout their training and maintain open communication with participants. “By engaging directly with learners, we were able to address concerns, clear up misunderstandings, and reassure them about the programme and its processes,” Loliwe said.

Thembani Loliwe engages with learners during a Q&A session of the ETDP SETA Cybersecurity Programme in Hessequa.

The ETDPSETA Cybersecurity Programme play an important role in preparing young people for careers in the growing field of cybersecurity and information technology.

By working together and supporting learners throughout the programme, initiatives like these help build skills and create opportunities for sustainable employment in the region.

To access opportunities regionally, join the Garden Route Local Government WhatsApp Opportunities Channel here: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va92oJoJpe8eiTvq3q33

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Media Release: UIF Skills Development Programme reaches George

17 June 2026

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), in partnership with the Department of Employment and Labour and the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), has expanded its exciting Skills Development Programme to George, bringing new opportunities to unemployed residents.

According to GRDM Executive Mayor Marais Kruger, “the programme aims to empower unemployed people between the ages of 18 and 59 by providing accredited training that will improve their skills and increase their chances of finding meaningful employment”.

The programme offers 800 training opportunities through two National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 5 qualifications: Process Control Skills (350 opportunities) and Quality Management Systems (QMS) (450 opportunities).

“Participants will gain valuable workplace knowledge and practical skills that can be applied in both the public and private sectors.” Kruger added: “The training is designed to prepare them for careers in administration, operations, compliance, quality assurance, and service delivery”.

Reginald Salmons, GRDM Skills Development Coordinator, said that the programme has already been successfully launched in the Bitou, Knysna and Hessequa municipal areas, and that George will now join the initiative as a key economic hub in the Garden Route. The programme will also be rolled out in Mossel Bay, Oudtshoorn and Kannaland, ensuring that unemployed residents across the district have access to these life-changing opportunities.

“Skills development remains one of the most effective tools for reducing unemployment and creating brighter futures for individuals, families, and communities. This initiative shows the shared commitment of government, municipalities, and communities to addressing unemployment and creating pathways to sustainable livelihoods. Beyond providing technical skills, the programme also aims to build confidence, unlock potential, and help participants become active contributors to the local economy,” Salmons concluded.

Participants taking part in activities at the different venues across George during the programme.

“Through strong collaboration between the Unemployment Insurance Fund, the Department of Employment and Labour, and the Garden Route District Municipality, hundreds of residents now can gain recognised qualifications and take meaningful steps towards employment and economic empowerment,” said Mayor Marais Kruger.

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