Maritime training for Boboyi youth
The program is aimed at educating unemployed youth in rural communities about the opportunities that exist in the maritime industry.
A total of 23 unemployed young people from Ward 23 in Boboyi are beneficiaries of the Khula Maritime Skills Program. The program is an initiative by non-profit-organisation MARICO Skills Development and Awareness and it will run at the Ward 23 Community Hall. According to the chairperson of MARICO, Philisani Ncane, the program is aimed at educating unemployed youth in rural communities about the opportunities that exist in the maritime industry.
Ncane said the program will train young and equip young people with skills that will provide employment or entrepreneurial opportunities within the industry.
”The program will be broken down into two segments, theoretical and practical work. In the first segment, beneficiaries will cover maritime awareness, marine environmental protection, introduction to diving theory, crafts, and entrepreneurial skills training. The beneficiaries will also be involved in beach cleaning operations, in conjunction with the local municipality,” said Ncane, adding that the second segment will start in October to allow for swimming and water activities.
Ncane said during the second segment, beneficiaries will be given swimming lessons, formal lifeguard training, and recreational diving training.
“Due to limited funds, the Khula Maritime project does not have the funds and means to provide transportation and a stipend for project beneficiaries, except transportation for practical training,” said Ncane, adding that all those who participated and completed the program will be given certificates.
Meanwhile, one of the beneficiaries, Nhlakanipho Mtshali told Fever that he was very happy and grateful that there an opportunity like this one came to their ward.
“We are happy to be part of something different and we are determined to finish this program. I have never thought that we would ever get a chance to study maritime studies because in school we used to do subjects that are to far from this so we are happy to get an opportunity to do this,” said Mtshali.
Also, Ward 23 councillor Mfanufikile Mnqosini said he had been trying to do a program like this one in the Esayidi TVET College, Nyenyezi Campus for a very long time. “Through God’s grace I was able to get in contact with Ncane from MARICO. We want to do this program annually in partnership with the Nyenyezi Campus. The project managed to identify a total of 23 students who are beneficiaries. These type of opportunities are very scarce in black communities so they are highly appreciated,” said Mnqosini.
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