Blue Flag beach steward graduates earn their stripes
The Blue Flag training programme promotes sustainable livelihood by equipping youth with relevant skills for employment in the environmental and tourism sector.
After 28 months on the Blue Flag training programme, 35 beach stewards have finally graduated and received their certificates in environmental education, training and development, practices – sector education and training authority. The certificates were handed over at an award ceremony held at the Carousel Holiday Resort in Hibberdene last Friday.
ALSO READ : OPINION: ‘KZN Blue Flag beaches are a boon for tourism’
The Blue Flag training programme promotes sustainable livelihood by equipping youth with relevant skills for employment in the environmental and tourism sector.
Implemented by the Wildlife, Environment Society of South Africa (Wessa), the Blue Flag programme aims to improve tourism facilities and services offered at 46 Blue Flag beaches across the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape as well as 25 pilot sites.
Elizabeth Thabethe, deputy minister of tourism who handed over the certificates to the graduates said: “Our government has prioritised skills development as one way to bridge the gap between experience and qualification, so as to enable our youth to be exposed to the corporate environment, in the hopes of creating a skilled workforce.”
A graduate of theprogramme, Yethu Mthembu, who is currently employed as a junior environmental education officer at the Wessa Umngeni Valley Education Centre, expressed gratitude to both the Department of Tourism and Wessa for the opportunity to attend this programme.
“I first saw the advert on the closing date and I applied there and then. At first I knew nothing about this field but I did a lot of research and have found something that gives me purpose and passion. I am now looking for ways to improve myself in this field,” she said.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
