Three groups from our Training and Development Programme were celebrated on 21 July, at a Graduation ceremony at Camps Bay High School. Thirteen Environmental Practices (NQF 4) Learnership, 6 Nature Conservation (NQF 2) Learnership and 7 Nature Guiding Learnership participants successfully completed their qualifications.
These programmes not only include the accredited training components of the various qualifications, but the learners are placed on nature reserves for the duration of the year-long programme where they gain very valuable real-world work experience.
The Graduation was a wonderful occasion to celebrate the successes of the learners, as well as to thank the mentors, partners and donors who make these programmes possible. Representatives from the funder CATHSSETA, partner and funder City of Cape Town and training provider Elgin Community College all attended the event.
Martha, from CATSSETA, congratulated the new graduates, saying “you are graduating today because you have been declared competent. This means you have the knowledge in your head, the skills in your hands and most importantly, the attitude in your heart.”
Stefan Dreyer, who completed the Environmental Practices Learnership summed up the experience; “It has been amazing exposure, meeting people and networking. We were close group, and we are all still in conservation today. I am now in a permanent position with the City of Cape Town. The CTEET learnership gave me the confidence to push myself, to keep learning, to apply for new posts to reach my goals and to stay motivated.”