GEORGE NEWS - The Youth Development section of George Municipality arranges youth skills transfer workshops to equip young people with the skills and knowledge to become employable and or start their own businesses.
According to Jonel Kerspuy, co-ordinator of the Youth Office section at George Municipality, these workshops are rolled out by the Youth Development office in collaboration with the Pacaltsdorp Community Business Association, Inkcubeko Youth and Science Centre with the assistance of the following facilitators: Sylvia Ncazelo, Noxolile Tshandu and Pam Lesibanie.
These partners provide venues and skills transfer sessions, which include beading, upcycling of recyclable goods, sewing, knitting and crocheting. A skills transfer programme is planned for Uniondale next year and youngsters will be taught how to make goods out of leather.
Kerspuy says basic business training and mentoring have been provided to previous groups of youngsters, as well as a market to sell some of their products. The same training will be done with the current group.
The sessions also provide a platform where valuable life skills, leadership development, career guidance, job readiness, mentoring and other sessions are offered to the youth in attendance.
"The programme addresses youth entrepreneurship, while at the same time bridging the generational and skills gap," said Kerspuy.
Luwayda Trantraal of the Pacaltsdorp Community Business Association (middle, in blue dress) and Pam Lesibanie police retiree and an entrepreneur (middle, in pink) and Jonel Kerspuy, co-ordinator of the Youth Development section(far right) with some of the youngsters attending a skills transfer session.
Recycled wood is used to make welcoming frames or decorations for homes.
Pam Lesibanie teaches arts and crafts that the youth can use to make products to sell.
An example of the beading that is taught.
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