Media Release: Baking programme students graduate | Western Cape Government

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Media Release: Baking programme students graduate

7 May 2018

Students who have completed a pilot baking skills course received their certificates at a graduation ceremony in Stellenbosch today.

The eight students were part of a pilot bakers training project sponsored by Backaldrin, a baking ingredients manufacturer based in Upper Austria, and developed by the Private Hotel School in Stellenbosch.

All the graduates have been employed following their training.

The course is accredited by Cathsseta, through the Hospitality Academy.

The initiative was facilitated by the Department of Agriculture, who brought all the players together to the launch the baking school after a  visit to the Backaldrin factory in Upper Austria in October.

The participants were either nominated by their employers for further training, or unemployed before embarking on the course.

During the course, students received theory lessons, as well as practical training in making a variety of baked goods such as bread rolls, ciabatta, baguettes and an assortment of sweet treats and pastries.

For one month of the programme, they were given hands on training through Work Integrated Placements.

In order to graduate, students had to have a good attendance record at all classes and at their assigned workplace.

Minister of Economic Opportunities Alan Winde said “We congratulate these students who committed their time and energy to learning a new skill, or enhancing the skills they already have. We also thank the sponsors and partners for their time and investment. Partnerships between government and the private sector are incredibly valuable in helping to develop skills, and in turn, grow our economy.”

“Through Project Khulisa, we’ve set ourselves a target of growing the number of people employed in the agri-processing areas of food and beverages, and by equipping these young people with a practical and marketable skill like baking, we hope to make them more employable,” Minister Winde said.

Susina Jooste, director of the Private Hotel School said the school had seen a need for skills training and had been offering short courses since 2014.

“I want to thank these students for their dedication,” she said.

Hanjo de Vries, of Backaldrin called on the students to continue building their skills.

“In the future there might be other courses you can build on,” he said.

Minister Winde told the students: “I hope in the future you will look at this opportunity as the launch pad for the rest of your lives.”

Baker Alicia Fisher said “we are hopeful that the knowledge we learned and the official certification will make a difference in our future.”

Media Enquiries: 

Bianca  Capazorio

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Economic Opportunities

Tel: 021 483 3550

Cell: 072 372 7044

Email: bianca.capazorio@westerncape.gov.za