Category: <span>EPWP</span>

01 March 2023 Media Release: Cater Care Training Programme graduates another successful group

Media Release: Cater Care Training Programme graduates another successful group

For Immediate Release
01 March 2023

Another prestigious ceremony was held at the Francois Ferreira Academy (FFA) on Friday, 24 February 2023, to honour 25 students who successfully completed the Cater Care/Food Handler Programme. The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) last year, on 17 October 2022, kicked of its 2022/2023 Cater Care/ Food Handler Programme.

The successful partnership of approximately twelve (12) years between the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) and the Francois Ferreira Academy (FFA) continues to equip youth with vital skills in the hospitality industry.

Last year 223 applications were received from youth across the district to be part of the Cater Care Programme. Ninety-four (94) applicants were shortlisted for interviews, of which 25 were selected to be part of the 2022/2023 flagship programme.

During the formal graduation ceremony, Chef Francois Ferreira, Head and Founder of the FFA welcomed the students and guests, and shared a special message with them. He pointed out that they had been in the new building for exactly one year. He recalled there were only boxes and equipment in the building last year, but now it is a fully equipped school with a fully functional restaurant.Ā  ā€œIn this industry, we change lives, and I hope that what youā€™ve learned here will, in a small or big way change the way you think and the way you approach life, because this isn’t just a job, but a lifestyle,ā€ Chef Ferreira encouraged students.

Ms Veronica Mekile, Project Administrator and Life-skills Facilitator of the FFA, provided a brief overview of the course and elaborated on the joy and satisfaction the FFA team experiences when they observe the studentā€™s progress.

Ms Pheliswa Gobisiba, one of the graduating students, delivered a tribute of praised to all the role players involved for the great opportunity. She expressed her gratitude to the staff of the FFA for what they have done for them. ā€œOver the past three months, it has been a long and memorable journey for us; full of excitement and challenges, but we have not lost sight of them.Ā  I want to leave my ‘mates’ with the following message: the journey continues, let’s shine and make our chefs proud.”

GRDM Deputy Executive Mayor, Adv. Gert van Niekerk in his speech, commended the FFA team with an exception to Chef Francois Ferreira for their well-equipped facilities. He congratulated the 25 students on their 100% pass. ā€œThis is a long-term investment and we urge you to keep up the good work. Nobody can take away what you’ve got here. With this knowledge, you can succeed in the public sector. On behalf of the GRDM, we wish you all the best,” Adv Van Niekerk said.

Executive Mayor, Alderman Memory Booysen, congratulated the students and motivated them with the following words: ā€œYou are the ones with the skills, the ones who ensure that people will return to a restaurant or not.Ā  It is not how the manager of the establishment smiles or how the owner has treated them; it is what they have tasted. In spite of the fact that you are in the background, where nobody sees you, you are the ones who make people lick their fingers and return.ā€ Ā Alderman Booysen further elaborated on the decision made by GRDM to become the Skills Mecca in the Western Cape, after seeing the need and the treachery the country has taken. ā€œIn this district, whoever comes in must pick up the phone, dial our number and ask us for whatever skills their business requires. Then ,with a press of a button, the names of people with that particular skills would appear on the screen. When new hotels and restaurants open, with the press of a button, your names must come up, because we have created that pool,ā€ he said.

GRDM through its Tourism Unit is responsible for the funding of this programme, with the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Unit contributing towards the stipends for the students.

-END-

Read related articles:

https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/2022/12/13/12-december-2022-media-release-media-release-cater-care-students-ready-to-gain-practical-experience/

https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/2022/03/14/14-march-2022-media-release-garden-route-dm-reaches-a-decade-of-ongoing-support-for-cater-care-students/

https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/2020/02/05/garden-route-students-graduate-after-completing-cater-care-training-programme/

12 December 2022 Media Release: Media Release: Cater Care students ready to gain practical experience

Media Release: Cater Care students ready to gain practical experience

For Immediate Release
9 December 2022

On Thursday, 8 December 2022, the last intake of the Francois Ferreira Academy (FFA) Cater Care Programme students for 2022 completed their practical training and are now ready to begin the second phase of their training. Their training involve being placed in hospitality establishments in order to gain practical experience during the month of December.Ā 

Earlier this year 223 applications were received from youth across the district who applied to form of the Cater Care Programme. Ninety-four (94) applicants were shortlisted for interviews and in the end, 25 youth were selected to be part of this yearā€™s programme. On 17 October 2022, classes for the last intake of the program began, and the award ceremony will be held in February 2023. The Cater Care is a three (3) month programme providing both theoretical and practical (industry-based) training.

The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) through this Cater Care (Food Handler) Training Programme aims to train previously disadvantaged youth in the district, in the hospitality sector. By doing so, the high unemployment rate in the district is being addressed; the unemployed are being trained in Culinary Skills, so they can find employment in local hospitality and tourism companies.

As one of GRDMā€™s flagship programmes, the Tourism Unit of the District Municipality isĀ  responsible for funding the programme, with the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Unit contributing to it as well.

In their last practical assignment, students prepared pastry dough.

-End-

24 August 2022 Public Notice: Garden Route District Municipality, through the Cater Care (Food Handler) Training Programme – Call for Applications

The Garden Route District Municipality through the Cater Care (Food Handler) Training Programme aims to train previously disadvantaged individuals in the hospitality sector. The District Municipality through the Tourism Unit is solely responsible for the funding of this programme, with the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Unit contributing towards this programme.

GRDM aims to address the high rate of unemployment within the District. In particular, the GRDM seeks to provide Culinary Skills training to unemployed people in the District. The Cater Care Training Programme is intended to equip people to access jobs in the local hospitality industry and tourism sector.

The Cater Care programme occurs over a three (3) month period and provides an accredited course with theoretical and practical (industry ā€“ learnership) training. This year the course takes place from September 2022 until December 2022.

Criteria for the learners:

  • Must be a SA Citizen
  • Aged 18-30
  • Unemployed
  • School Qualification Grade 10 to Grade 12
  • Must have a bank account
  • Must have a Tax number
  • Eager to shape a career in the hospitality industry
  • Reside in the Garden Route District Municipal region

Application process is as follows:

  • Prospective learners must apply in person at the Garden Route District Municipality, 54 York Street in George.
  • All applicants must bring their CV, certified ID Copy, and school results. Certification of documents must not be older than 3 months
  • Letter from the bank confirming their account
  • Must have a contact cell phone number plus an alternative number

Contact details: Ā Ā Ā 

Address: FranƧois Ferreira Academy
Farm 208. R102 Airport Road
George, Western Cape
South Africa

Contact person: Ms Veronica MekileĀ (veronica@francoisferreira.com)
Office number: 044 ā€“ 884 0765; Office hours: 08:00 ā€“ 16:30 (Mon- Thu); 08:00 ā€“ 15:00 (Fri)

The deadline date is 15 September 2022 for all applications to be submitted
*All successful candidates are responsible for their own accommodation arrangements and transport and only serious and committed applicants will be considered for this opportunity.

MG Stratu
Municipal Manager
54 York Street
PO Box 12
GEORGE
6530
Tel:Ā Ā  044 803 1300
Fax:Ā  086Ā 555 6303

Copies of notices in all three official languages of the Western Cape:

28 June 2022 Media Release: Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) and SASSETA visit GRDM

Media Release: Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) and SASSETA visit GRDM

28 June 2022
For Immediate ReleaseĀ 

An Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) delegation consisting of national and provincial officials visited the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) on 13 and 14 June 2022. The aim of the two-day visit was to learn more about the Garden Route Skills Mecca (GRSM) model and to investigate the possibility of replicating the Skills Mecca concept in other parts of the country.

On the first day, representatives from GRSM and the GRDM EPWP section accompanied the delegation on several site visits to training centres in the area that support the GRSM. Delegates visited Cheeba Africa, African Skills and FranƧois Ferreira Academy where they were given thorough insights of each facility and the type of training provided. Ā Through several Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) grants and EPWP programmes, learners have successfully completed courses at the training centres visited by delegates and have been able to enter the job market.

The second day was reserved for engagement.Ā  Lusanda Menze (GRDM Executive Manager:: Planning and Economic Development) gave an overview of GRDM and its Growth and Development Strategy and Dr Florus Prinsloo (GRSM Coordinator) gave a comprehensive overview of the GRSM model.

Tsholofelo Pooe from National EPWP presented on the their EPWP Training Framework and possible linkages to the Garden Route Skills Mecca.

MOU between GRSM and SASSETA discussed.

Joining the delegation on the second day, were Chris Mudau and Thamsanqa Mdontswa from the Safety and Security SETA (SASSETA). After listening to the presentations given by GRDM and GRSM, they presented on the SETAā€™s mandate, Skills Development Levy (SDL) breakdown, and strategic scope amongst other topics.

SASSETAā€™s sub-sections and constituencies include:

  • Policing
  • Corrections
  • Justice
  • Defence
  • Intelligence Activities
  • Legal Services
  • Private Security and Investigation Activities

There are 17 SDL contributors in the Garden Route, which comprises law firms and security companies. Ā It is for this reason that SASSETA and GRDM will enter into talks to establish an MOU that will see closer cooperation with GRSM.

The two-day delegation visit was concluded with a visit to Calitzdorp Hot Springs where a Security Training Centre has been established through formal partnership between BM Skills Development (who is a SASSETA Accredited Training Provider) and the GRDM.

ends

 

 

13 June 2022 Opportunities For Unemployed Youth in the Western Cape

Opportunities For Unemployed Youth in the Western Cape

13 June 2022

The Western Cape Government has several opportunities for unemployed youth in the province. Please find all the details below, or visit the following link for more information.

Please contact the designated persons on each advertisement/application should you have any queries. Garden Route District Municipality will not be able to answer any queries regarding the adverts.

West Coast

Overberg

Garden Route

City of Cape Town

City of Cape Town (1)

Central Karoo

Cape Winelands

12 April 2022 Media Release: Saasveld road construction is nearing completion

Media Release: Saasveld road construction is nearing completion

For immediate release
12 April 2022

Good progress is being made on repairs of Madiba Drive, also known as Saasveld road. Months of earth-and foundation work have been done by the Garden Route District Municipalityā€™s (GRDM) Roads Services.Ā  Ten Expanded Public Works ProgrammeĀ (EPWP)Ā  contract workers are appointed to assist with the project. The work is performed using in-house resources, personnel, and EPWP contract workers. The Saasveld road has been inaccessible since November’s flash flood last year.

Earlier this year, the old Armco structure under the road was removed, and the work area was accessed. Approximately 600 m3 of material had to be excavated to reach the bottom of the pipe and to lay the 200 mm diameter pipe (bypass pipe) in order to prevent the trench from flooding.

On Tuesday, 1 March 2022, a further 600 mm was excavated due to the wetness of the in-situ material. The GRDM Construction Team had sourced more materials to strengthen the bedding before they could lay off the 1.8 m concrete pipe.

Four to five layers of bedding were constructed; the first was rock-filled, the second was gravel material mixed with cement, and the third, the laying of the pipes.

 

Pipe laying commenced on 4 April 2022.Ā  Mr John G Daniels, Executive Manager of the GRDM Roads Services and the Portfolio Chairperson of Roads and Transport Services, Alderman Petru Terblanche, were on-site to witness the laying of the first pipe.Ā  The anticipated date to finish laying all the pipes is 14 April 2022.Ā  Upon completion, in-situ material mixed with cement will be used as a cradle to support the pipes and bulk backfilling to 300 mm below road level will commence.Ā  Three layers will then be constructed; 150 mm of sub-base, 150 mm of base course and the surface layer.

According to Mr Lungisa Qendu, Senior Engineering Technician on the construction site, they have already laid six units.Ā  ā€œThe in-situ material has been taken to the laboratory for testing, and other materials are currently in the procurement process,ā€ said Qendu.

Mr Qendu further explained that the teamā€™s aim and priority are to lay all pipes, backfill, and open the road as soon as possible.Ā  Activities like headwalls and gabions will not affect road users as these are outside the roadway.

The road closure has caused inconvenience to regular users of the road who has to make use of alternative routes. We thank them for their patience and assure them that we are doing everything possible to have the route reopened as soon as possible.

Click on the link below for a short video of on-site operations.

 

8 December 2021 Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality mourns the tragic loss of another employee

Garden Route District Municipality mourns the tragic loss of another employee

For Immediate Release
8 December 2021

On Monday, 6 December 2021, when management and staff arrived at the respective offices of Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), they learned about the tragic passing of their colleague, William Jonas.

William sadly passed away on Sunday, 5 December 2021 at the age of 44 after he was a victim of a brutal attack in George, a few days prior to landing up in the Intensive Care Unit. He leaves behind his wife and children, as well as many friends and colleagues.

According to a Human Resources official from GRDM, Lynn Marajh, the late William was appointed on 3 June 2016 on an Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) contract. His contract would have come to end during January 2022.

The late William will be remembered for his reserved and level-headed personality. Although he was employed at the EPWP Unit, he was known to almost the entire organisation, as his worked spanned across the entire region alongside the Maintenance Unit. Those who worked close to him such as Mario Appels, Superintendent at GRDM, remembers the late William as an enthusiastic, hardworking and goal driven individual ā€“ always respectful. ā€œBeing the reserved person he was, he had a fine eye for details around him. Apart from being his quiet self, he was also funny and knew how to make his colleagues laugh,ā€ said Medron Bussak, Administrative Assistant: Resorts.Ā  On a more personal level, William knew what his responsibilities as a family man were ā€“ ā€œhe loved his family,ā€ Medron said. His music taste for the old school genre was symbolic to the type of characteristics he embodied.

ā€œAt GRDM we will always remember William as a helpful person who had a great passion for his work.ā€

The municipality will on Monday, 13 December 2021, host a memorial service to celebrate Williamā€™s life and to share a moment with his family, to bid him farewell.

ā€œRest in peace William, you will be dearly missed.ā€

The link to follow the proceeding via our Youtube channel will be published in due course.

Feature Photo: William Jonas, with the Executive Mayor, Memory Booysen (middle) and his team members (fltr) Wayne Cronje, Irvin Siljeur and Sheldon Flemming earlier this year at an event that was hosted by GRDM at the Rosemoor Stadium in George.

ENDS

1 September 2021 Media Release: GRDM appoints unemployed youth to relieve healthcare professionals at vaccination sites

Media Release: GRDM appoints unemployed youth to relieve healthcare professionals at vaccination sites

For Immediate Release
1 September 2021

Since the COVID-19 Vaccination Program was launched, more than 60 000 Garden Routers have already been vaccinated. These include Health Care Workers, residents and staff at Old Age Homes educators, and public members at various community vaccination sites.

However, being a double dose, the Pfizer vaccine adds an extra administrative challenge at vaccination sites, as people have to go through the administrative process twice. Currently, the Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS) registration portal is open for persons older than 18 years, and the influx of people at the identified sites is causing extra pressure on healthcare professionals.

The President of South Africa, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, stated in his presidential address on 11 July 2021, that the quantities of imported and locally produced vaccines will double and even triple soon.

More vaccines will result in more vaccination sites and a need for additional administrative personnel. For this reason and due to a request received from the Provincial Department of Health, the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) recently appointed unemployed youth to assist nurses at the vaccination sites. The project is an initiative of the Executive Mayor, Alderman Memory Booysen, and is managed by the GRDM Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP).

Administrative Assistants appointed at the various sites within the Garden Route district, to relieve healthcare professionals with their administrative duties.

These administrative assistants are placed at the following sites: Alma CDC, Mossel Bay Town Hall, Dā€™Almeida Hall, Wolwedans Community Hall, Groot Brak, Knysna CDC, Knysna Town Hall, Knysna Town Hall, Plett Town Clinic, Kwanokuthula CDC, Thembalethu CDC, Pacaltsdorp Clinic, George Hospital, George Central Clinic, Harry Comay Hospital, Riversdale Civic Centrum, Riversdale Civic Centrum, Still Bay Civic Centre, Toekomsrust Community Hall and Toekomsrust Community Hall. They effectively started with their duties on 1 August 2021. and focus on the administrative responsibilities to relieve nurses to focus primarily on their core function.

According to Richard Dyantyi, EPWP Manager at GRDM, the team was appointed to serve a period of six months until the end of January 2021. He said: ā€œWe are reviewing the impact of the project monthly to determine the effectiveness of this intervention. Adding to this he said: ā€œBased on the impact of the intervention, we will consider the expansion of the initiative to other areas as advised by the Provincial Department of Healthā€. The initiative was influenced by the high unemployment rate of 34, 4% as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore, all administrative assistants were unemployed, reside in the Garden Route district, have matric, and have basic computer literacy skills – the ideal characteristics of administrators needed to implement this programmeā€.

ā€œWhile relieving our healthcare professionals with their workload, we simultaneously create employment for our youth, who did not have the basic means of income,ā€ Mayor Booysen said. ā€œThis is what we as a District Municipality aims to do, is to put bread on the table for our vulnerable ā€“ to maintain our vision by ensuring inclusiveness of all the people we serve,ā€ he concluded.

Lonwabo Luthango from the GRDM Disaster Management Centre is appointed to act as project manager of this initiative and to oversee the administration of the appointments.

Feature Image: Executive Mayor, Alderman Memory Booysen (middle), with Charlene Magdalene Barnardo (left) and Lyzette Elzane Stroebel (right) at the Knysna Town Hall vaccination site.

ENDS

12 June 2021 Media Release: The world is your oyster, and nothing can keep you back!

Media release: The world is your oyster, and nothing can keep you back!

For Immediate Release
17 June 2021

”You determine your future, and you have now been equipped with the necessary skills in the culinary arts. So, decide to choose prosperity to enrich your lives and build on the stepping stones provided to you through this programme.”Ā  With these words, Alderlady Georlene Wolmarans, a Councillor at Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), encouraged students during their Cater Care graduation ceremony.

On Friday, 10 June 2021, 20 students who attended the Francois Ferreira Academy (FFA) Cater Care programme received recognition for triumphantly completing a three (3) month-long training programme. This year’s Cater Care programme officially kicked off on 01 March 2021.

With many opportunities offered by the hospitality and tourism industry in the region, the GRDM, in collaboration with the Francois Ferreira Academy, identified a skills development programme to help youth step into the job market.Ā  This programme aims to train previously disadvantaged youth in the hospitality field. The district’s hospitality sector needs are incrementally addressed through this initiative, with more youth becoming upskilled to expedite economic growth in the area.

During the graduation ceremony, Chef Francois Ferreira, founder and Principal of the Academy, refers to the current intake of students as the most energetic group they trained to date.Ā  He said: “This is the first group in the Cater Care Food handler programme whom we’ve received calls from all the Executive Chefs from the various restaurants; commending them on their attitudes and good work ethic”.Ā  He further elaborated that most Executive Chefs indicated that they would like to employ these students down the line. “You made us proud,” Chef Ferreira concluded.

The GRDM Tourism Unit is responsible for coordinating funding alongside the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Unit, which arranges learners’ stipends. The Francois Ferreira Academy is the appointed service provider who provides the training for these students and also ensures that students are placed in hospitality establishments to gain practical work experience whilst attending the course.

Alderlady Wolmarans concluded her speech by encouraging students with a quote from the late President of South Africa, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. “To the youth of today, I also have a wish to make – be the scriptwriters of your destiny and feature yourselves as stars that showed the way towards a brighter future.”

15 June 2021 Call to Register: EPWP Contractor Development Programme – Apply today!

Call to Register: EPWP Contractor Development Programme – Apply today!

Emerging contractors are invited to register for the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Contractor Development Programme that is driven by the Department of Transport and Public Works’ EPWP.

The programme was designed to support emerging contractors in the Western Cape.

The objective of contractor development is to implement structured programmes that facilitate the development of emerging enterprises within the construction industry through skills and business enhancement initiatives. This will enable them to compete effectively and independently in the open marked beyond state intervention.

Click here for more information.
Click here to download the application form.

If you would like to participate in one of our programmes please complete theĀ application formĀ and submit via email to Keith Rass.

Directorate:Ā EPWP Construction Industry, Innovation and Empowerment Programmes
Tel:Ā 021 483 8924/2412
Email:Ā keith.rass@westerncape.gov.za