Tuesday was an exciting day for 21 new inductees who were welcomed into the City of Cape Town’s, skills development programme at the False Bay Nature Reserve.

Since its launch in 2007, the programme, which is done in partnership with the Cape Town Environmental Education Trust, has enabled skills development and employment opportunities for matriculants from informal settlements and previously disadvantaged communities around Cape Town.

The 21 learners from areas including Dunoon, Nyanga, Mitchells Plain, Strand, Khayelitsha, Zeekoevlei and Grassy Park will be based at City nature reserves and mentored by reserve staff and managers throughout the year.

Not only will these matriculants be provided with essential work experience, but they will now also receive accredited training in nature conservation – equipping them with the skills needed to fill entry-level conservation positions in nature reserves.

Empowerment through skills development

The accredited training is sponsored by the Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority.

“Empowerment through skills development is a non-negotiable part of our commitment to enabling redress,” said Johan van der Merwe the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Environmental and Spatial Planning, Councillor.

“With South Africa’s high level of youth unemployment, no effort should be spared in increasing the competitive edge of matriculants who lack work experience.” he added

The accredited training which the learners receive includes practical components of nature conservation such as erecting fences, controlling veld fires, harvesting flora and fauna and stopping soil erosion as well as more theoretical activities such as research, the use of statistics, communication and the use of computers.

On successful completion of the various modules, they will receive a National Certificate in Nature Conservation: Resource Guardianship (NQF Level 2).

In addition to the accredited training, the learners receive non-accredited training such as first-aid, alien plant control, chainsaw usage and preparation for obtaining a driving licence.

“I believe this programme provides the learners with a very unique set of abilities with which they will be able to educate their communities around them not to underestimate the importance of the environment. We are proud of these learners for accepting the honour of being the future guardians of our shared environment and thank them in advance,’ concluded Van der Merwe.