Introducing local learners to the labour market
“We learn how to become baristas and everything we need to know about the coffee culture."
Emshukantambo Secondary School launched their 2023 learnership programme under the Huis Van Cofifi (HVC) coffee company, on Monday February 27in Pimville.
ALSO READ: Sanitary pads donated to local learner
It is important that schools not only fix the learner’s minds in academic excellence but integrate open labour market skills which will prepare them for the outside working world.
Sibusiso Sibeko director of HVC coffee brand said, “The programme is an intervention in bridging the gap between learners’ theoretical and practical abilities by merging vocational training and intellectual learning.”
According to Nompumelelo Nxumalo, Grade 12 learner and president of HVC who became part of the programme in 2022 without knowledge of what is it about, this initiative has taught her how to make coffee and become a barista.
“We learn how to become baristas and everything we need to know about the coffee culture,” she said.
“It gives you the leverage to change your storyline, because you are a black child in Soweto from a public school and these opportunities are zero to none. So, they are really helping us to change the narrative,” Nxumalo explained.
ALSO READ: School uniform for donated to local learners
Through this youth revolution in coffee school programme, HVC empowers learners with special skills which are commonly overlooked such as educational assistance in numeracy and literacy and entrepreneurship which prepares learners for varsity or the open labour market.
A black child from Soweto grows up being economically and academically excluded from all the vast opportunities that their counter white peers have access too. Therefore it is these initiatives that build a bridge for learners from Soweto to become who they want to be unapologetically.
“One of our initiatives was to make sure that a black child form Soweto is exposed to inspiring careers and see beyond their disadvantage community with social ills. To create opportunities in terms of career options in the coffee industry,” said Sibeko.
ALSO READ: Local learners take a pledge against bullying
The selected learners from Emshukantambo Secondary School will be exposed to learning about making coffee and experience real life labour market during their HVC learnership.
Sibeko concluded by advising learners, “To be decisive young people with a back bone to make sober minded decisions. They need to start the process of ploughing during their high school years.”
Follow Us Here:
Catch the latest news by visiting our other platforms:
Facebook
Soweto Urban News
Twitter
Youtube
