Champions Transformation Academy outside Louis Trichardt has embarked on an ambitious project through which they aim to empower 20 students from the area with employability skills next year. This will be done on conjunction with several stakeholders, including the Limpopo Department of Education.
According to the academy's director, Ms Sonja Prinsloo, the academy recognises the need for transferable employability skills and will be launching the BTEC Level 3 vocational programme offered by the well-established company, Pearson. "Research shows that low skills perpetuate poverty and inequality. When done effectively, skills development can reduce unemployment, increase productivity and improve standards of living. There is no doubt that helping people develop and update their skills makes economic sense," said Prinsloo.
BTEC Level 3 is an extended diploma course that offers a comprehensive vocational programme for students in Grade 11 and 12 and is aimed at learners in the 16-to-19 age group who either wish to pursue a career via higher education to access graduate entry or through direct employment in the work sector. The course encompasses applied learning that brings together knowledge and understanding with practical and technical skills. This applied learning is achieved through learners' performing vocational tasks that encourage the development of appropriate vocational behaviour and transferable skills.
The academy has partnered with various stakeholders, including business partners, the Department of Education in Limpopo, traditional chiefs and headmen, pastors and mentors from various pastors forums in and around the Makhado Municipality and many other interested potential community members to assist in the project. In conjunction with the local circuit office of the Department of Education, 20 students will be selected to take part in the programme. These 20 students will all have to attend an orientation camp from 11 to 14 July at Schoemansdal for the final evaluation and selection of the students to be registered at the academy next year.
However, the programme comes at a cost and a lot of funds will be needed to support the students. Regarding this, a gala dinner will be held at the Schoemansdal EEC on Friday, 26 May, from 18:00. Persons wishing to attend must RSVP before 19 May by phoning the academy's deputy principal, Mr Simon Ravhuhali, at Tel 067 576 5067 or email: tshilaravhuhali43@gamail. Persons unable to attend but interested the programme as a skills or financial partner or sponsor are also invited to phone Ravhuhali.