MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The Mossel Bay Skills Indaba on Friday, 20 July at the Mossel Bay Council chamber made history as it was the first event of its sort to be held in town.

The objective of the indaba was to determine the supply and demand of skills in the Mossel Bay municipal area and to thereby strategically support the development of the Garden Route Skills Mecca.

During the one-day workshop that was attended to capacity, the importance of artisan and skills development in taking the local economy forward was emphasised.

Various roleplayers showcased the opportunities for career awareness in artisan and skills development opportunities in the Mossel Bay region.

A platform was also created in the Eden District to align the demand and supply of artisan and skills development to foster partners and commitments between all relevant stakeholders that support the Western Cape government's Apprenticeship Game Changer.

Mossel Bay mayor, Alderman Harry Levendal, formally welcomed the delegates and said that it is important to change one's mind.

"When you start to change your mind, you can change your way of thinking. And when you change your way of thinking you can change your heart. "When you change your heart you can change your soul and only then do you become a new person."

Monde Stratu, municipal manager of the Eden District presented on the district strategic approach to skills and development.

He said the aim is to create a Garden Route that strives to be an inclusive and thriving region that unlocks the potential for all who live, travel, play and learn.

Various other speakers presented training programmes during the session. These included Itumeleng Motse from PetroSA, who also emphasised that it is important to teach the youth that they should enjoy what they are studying or training for, and not just think about making money first.

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