First learnership for disabled in Mossel Bay

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - On Monday, 8 April, residents from Mossel Bay with disabilities, received their national certificate in business administration.

The graduation ceremony was held by ATHENA Interactive Training Network (Pty) Ltd in the Mossel Bay Town Hall.

The qualification, an NQF level 2, was run as a secretarial administration leadership project. The project was funded by Transport SETA (TETA) with discretionary funding secured by ATHENA.

A total of 43 graduates, all dressed in their best, attended the ceremony that started at 10:00.

Nineteen achieved the full qualification and 33 students, including one person who passed away during the leadership course, received certificates of competence for part of the qualification.

It was a dazzling ceremony, attended by families and friends.

During the course, learners were hosted by the Mossel Bay Municipality, various clinics, hospitals and private businesses within Mossel Bay and Great Brak River in order to gain their workplace experience.

Executive director of ATHENA, Susan Dippenaar, says the students assisted greatly in the workplace and were sincerely missed at the end of the learnership.

"Learners were employed in various organisations after the learnership."

This opportunity was offered for free to the community and a monthly allowance was also given in order for learners to travel to their training sessions and their workplaces.

It also assisted in providing daily sustenance. The learnership ran over a period of 12 months, with the learners attending training as well as spending time in the workplace.

The graduates with the certificates at the Mossel Bay Town Hall. Photo: Caleb Matthews