YouthBuild South Africa is pleased to announce the successful graduation of its 2021 cohort despite challenges brought on by the ongoing global Covid-19 pandemic.
A total of 38 youth graduated from our flagship training programs in Johannesburg and Durban. These include participants from the YouthBuild Saint Gobain academy who were conferred an industry-recognised qualification in NQF Level 3 Ceiling and Partition Installation. The second cohort from the YouthBuild Hilton Project received an NCV Qualification on NQF Level 4 after completing their integrated learning and hospitality training with Thekwini TVET College.
YouthBuild SA used creative methods to engage with participants and ensured that training and education facilitation were continued amid mandatory Covid-19 lockdowns and social distancing regulations.
Despite the hurdles, a further 112 participants completed their training and participation in two other YouthBuild programs. These include 12 participants from the YouthBuild Alternative High School Program in Orlando East, Soweto. The program was introduced at the height of the pandemic in 2020, offering Mathematics and Physical Science tutoring to grade 12 participants. Five of those participants have been enrolled in further higher education and training institutions, including the University of the Witswatersrand and the Central Johannesburg TVET College.
In addition, 90 participants from our YouthBuild National Youth Service Program in Durban completed their community service. As part of program development, participants are equipped with entrepreneurial, leadership and life skills. YouthBuild also facilitates their work exposure through volunteer opportunities in various companies, giving them valuable work experience.
YouthBuild is very proud of all graduates and wishes them well in their future endeavours.