The Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille, will on Thursday, 15 June 2023, host the Food Quality Assurers Programme Graduation in Hermanus. This ceremony will see 50 graduates being added to the tourism and hospitality talent pool in the Western Cape.
The Food Safety Quality Assurers Training Programme provides for technical skills in food preservation within the hospitality and tourism sector. This skills programme is recognised by all cookery or food related sectors in South Africa, from small restaurants to large scale hotels. This Programme also provides training on norms and standards for safe tourism operations, including COVID-19 protocols, targeting the retrenched and unemployed youth.
The Department entered into an agreement with The Tourism Business Institute in Southern Africa (TTBISA) to manage training in Western Cape Province, and to the learners in relevant hospitality establishments for experiential learning. The programme consisted of 30% theory and 70% practical training, and it is accredited FoodBev Setas. During training, the beneficiaries were introduced to different skills programmes of Food safety quality Assurers.
The Department implements various youth skills development programmes in line with the National Tourism Strategy to strategically support the tourism sector's developmental objectives. These skills programmes have seen young people from across the country benefit from accredited skills training and being placed in work opportunities in tourism establishments.
Investing in young people to be a part of our vibrant tourism sector is a key priority for the Department. In the 2022/2023 financial year more than 2 500 learners were enrolled in the various skills development programmes including: Food and Beverage Training, Chef/Professional Cookery, Food Safety Quality Assurers, Wine Service Training and Hospitality Youth Training (Fast Food Services). More than R69 million was invested in the skills development training for young people from across the country.
The media invite details are as follows:
Date: Thursday 15 June 2023
Time: 10h00
Venue: Benguela Cove Wine Estate, Hermanus
Media are welcome to attend and can RSVP to Sindi Zwane on 081 267 4665
Issued by:
Zara Nicholson - Media Liaison Officer to Minister Patricia de Lille, MP
Cell: +27 (0) 79 416 5996
Email: znicholson@tourism.gov.za