Sun International’s Sun City Resorthas been selected by the South African Chef’s Association (SACA) to participate in its 2012 National Youth Cookery Training Programme (NYCTP). This partnership between SACA and the National Department of Tourism (NDT), trains, develops and creates employment for unemployed youths in the Northwest region.

 

The trainees were selected by a committee comprising SACA, NDT, Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), and The Royal Bafokeng Institute, who will also be providing the trainees with theoretical training. “This project is aimed at equipping matriculated, unemployed members of the nearby community with the necessary skills,” says Nicholas Froneman executive chef of The Palace,” This is a great project as it creates sustainable jobs, and bridges the skills shortages in this sector.”

 

The Palace will be offering on-the-job training for a total of 20 learners during the 2012 programme, which will be expanded to 30 trainees in 2013. The learners will work closely with the chefs to acquire knowledge, skills and experience in different cooking styles. The trainees will predominantly be based at the Palace however, they will be offered time in the other Sun City outlets, and will also be exposed to big events like the Nedbank Golf Challenge.

 

“Sun City offers them extraordinary scope as the resort is unique in what it offers chefs – from exposure to fine dining, to all levels of catering, to the Nedbank Golf Challenge which is one of the biggest catered events in South Africa,” says Froneman.

 

The programme is funded by the EPWP, a nationwide programme which seeks to help alleviate unemployment, and give learners the necessary skills while they work. The NDT has requested that SACA implement a nationwide programme in all nine provinces through its affiliated Training Providers and members involved in hotels, restaurants and catering companies.

 

The newly certified learners begin the programme on 1 September 2012 and the course runs until March 2013 when a new intake of learners will go through the same process. “The trainees spend 2 days a week in theoretical training at the Royal Bafokeng Institute and the rest of the week in practical training at Sun City Resort. At the end of the course they will receive a Food Preparation City & Guilds Culinary Art Certificate. This is an internationally recognised qualification and will help each graduate to find gainful employment,” says Froneman, “either through Sun International or at any of the other hotels in the region.”

 

“We are excited to be part of this phenomenal project as it is in line with our commitment to community upliftment.”