Lesedi Programme equips youngsters with skills
Emperors Palace hosted a three-course lunch on Wednesday, January 29, to celebrate the completion of the certificate course by learners who were a part of the Peermont Education Trust (PET) Lesedi Programme.
The learners completed a certificate course in hospitality fields such as food and beverage, professional cookery and front reception.
Among the 27 youngsters to benefit from this initiative and complete certificate courses in the hospitality field, were eight Boksburg and Vosloorus residents.
The lunch showcased the talents of the learners who were involved in the success of the programme.
Everything was prepared and served by these learners for VIP guests, to give them a taste of what they have learned.
The proof was literally in the pudding, as one would say.
As a starter, Asian vegetable stirfry with assorted nuts, were served in a fried noodle basket with grilled Haloumi cheese.
For the main course, braised fillet of beef and herb butter was served on a bed of creamy risotto with seasonal vegetables, and mille feuille with fresh strawberries, was for dessert.
One of the VIP guests was Sharon Shapiro, who taught the Lesedi students communication skills and basic etiquette.
For Shapiro, it was an honour working with them and a rewarding thing to do.
“My heart gets full when I see them achieving new milestones. They are improving themselves and I just hope they get good jobs,” she says.
Annually, the PET, through its Lesedi Programme, provides scholarships and learnerships to deserving young people from Ekurhuleni to assist them to become economically-active.
Through hard work and dedication, young people are able to complete a certificate in hospitality courses.
The training provider TTIBSA offers theory-based lessons in the Emperors Palace training centre and all the practical hours for the qualification are available at Emperors Palace.
On completion the candidates are well-trained and ready to enter the workplace.
Over 500 people have received training since the inception of the PET.
“It is invigorating working with the youth and the tourism space is very exciting, because it is the fastest growing industry,” says PET manager, Jenny Findlay.
