A non-governmental organisation (NGO) recently launched a childcare training programme with the aim of creating employment opportunities for Jamestown residents who would like to work with children.
This is according to Benita Peterson, training manager at Bergzicht Training.
The four-week programme, run by Bergzicht Training, started on 11 August, said Peterson.
There are currently 20 women enrolled in the course, said Hillary Venzel, the course facilitator at Bergzicht Training.
A Jamestown childcare programme was launched on 11 August, according to Hillary Venzel, the course facilitator. This four-week course is being run by Bergzicht Training, a non-governmental organisation. There are 20 students currently enrolled in Venzel’s class, she said, adding that her background as an educator qualifies her as a facilitator for the course. PHOTO: Supplied/Nathalie Skippers
Creating opportunities
Unemployment is a major issue in Stellenbosch, according to Nathalie Skippers, development manager at Bergzicht Training.
While the organisation cannot guarantee that participants of the training programme will secure jobs thereafter, she hopes that they may gain a sense of “self-leadership”, Skippers said.
The women enrolled in the course will receive a formal certificate in childcare once they complete the programme, which will qualify them to assist at schools and start their own childcare businesses, stated Skippers.
“The programme is going very well,” said Nosiphiwo Malahlakana, who is currently enrolled. The training she is receiving in the programme includes teaching children to read and write, and learning how to better engage with them, she said.
Empowering the greater Stellenbosch community
The Jamestown training programme is part of a greater 12-week training programme that Stellenbosch residents may sign up for, both of which are at no cost, said Skippers. It also forms part of a greater series of short programmes targeting different areas in Stellenbosch, she said.
A community childcare programme aimed at equipping women in Stellenbosch with useful skills was recently launched in Jamestown. The programme is run by Bergzicht Training, a non-governmental organisation which focuses on training Stellenbosch residents in order to create employment opportunities. This is according to Nathalie Skippers, development manager at Bergzicht Training. The organisation aims to equip these women with additional childcare skills, which can be used in the home and educational environments, she said. AUDIO: Nakishka Skriker
Two similar four-week programmes, which Venzel will also be facilitating, are planned for Klapmuts; and Pniel, Kylemore and Lanquedoch, later in the year, she said.
They hope to reach all areas of Stellenbosch through Bergzicht Training, according to Skippers.
This will be achievable through Bergzicht’s collaborative partnerships with other NGOs in Stellenbosch, such as LOVE TO GIVE and Her Voice, as well as their partnership with the municipality, she explained.
“The municipality has had a successful partnership with Bergzicht for eight years,” said Stuart Grobbelaar, spokesperson for Stellenbosch Municipality, via email correspondence with MatieMedia.
The partnership with Bergzicht Training is an extension of the municipality’s Mayoral Youth Skills Development Fund, he explained.
Bergzicht Training is a non-governmental organisation which celebrated its 30th birthday earlier this year, said Nathalie Skippers, development manager at Bergzicht Training. The organisation focuses on training residents in the greater Stellenbosch area in order to empower communities within the municipality and create employment opportunities for residents, said Skippers. PHOTO: Nakishka Skriker
“Over the years, 108 young people from the greater Stellenbosch region have received accredited skills training as part of our initiative to tackle unemployment in our region,” said Grobbelaar. Many of these young people have now successfully found employment, he stated.