The launch of a brand-new Skills Development Centre in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley has unlocked the road to a brighter future for 20 young men and women of the area.
The students will be equipped with training in various fields such as the hospitality industry, winemaking, barista training and more.
“The aim is to provide them with a basket of skills,” explained Sophia Warner, founder and CEO of the Pebbles Project, “so they can determine what field they are interested in. They will then be sent for further training in their chosen field. Two of the students are currently undergoing training in the fields of social media and filmmaking.
“They will also undergo personal development training that teaches them such skills as how to present themselves and apply for jobs.”
Trainers from accredited institutions will visit the Pebbles Project Hemel-en-Aarde Skills Development Centre to present the training in various fields. At a later stage, the students will be sent to different institutions to complete their tertiary studies.
“Our goal is to partner with local businesses and companies for work placements as well as job shadowing and in-service training opportunities,” Warner added.
She was speaking at the launch of the centre last week. The launch was attended not only by the students of the Skills Development Centre, but also a number of Rotary Club members and other key role-players, including Caroline Martin of Creation Wines. The school, said Warner, was Martin’s brainchild.
Academy of note
The centre was built on land made available to the Pebbles Project by farm owner Antony van Hoogstraten. An old onion shed was transformed into a spacious facility by project manager Barry Coombe and his team. The centre’s construction began in February and was made possible with funding from the Rotary Club of Hermanus, Rotary International, the McFarlane Family Foundation and Felix Loose
Jenny Howard, president of the Rotary Club of Hermanus, explained: “Rotary International is the world’s biggest NGO with members from all ethnicities, religions, shapes and sizes.
“A love for the community and a deep desire to improve the communities we live in underscores what we do. The Pebbles Project is a perfect example of that, which is why we support them on their journey to better life for those in the communities we live in.”
Ian Wallace, past president of the Rotary Club of Hermanus, who was closely involved with the project, thanked everyone who contributed and will continue contributing to the project’s success.
He added: “In five to 10 years this will be the school everyone wants to attend. This will grow to become an academy of note.”
Skills development
Student Cassandra Adams described the centre as “a safe place where young adults feel safe enough to share their dreams and learn new skills”.
“If not for this opportunity, I would most likely be up to wrong things. Thank you to everyone for believing in us and giving us this opportunity.”
The Skills Development Centre, which caters for young people between the ages of 17 and 22, is the latest in a range of educational programmes in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley run by the Pebbles Project. The Rotary Club has been involved through the years, donating their time, skills and funds.
The Pebbles Hemel-en-Aarde Education Project started in 2017, providing children and families living and working in the valley access to education, health, social and recreational services.
It provides an ECD centre catering for children from the age of 3 months to 5 years, the Pebbles Academy independent school that was opened in 2019 and accommodates learners from Grade R to Grade 7 and now the Skills Development Centre.
All learners are transported to and from school, each day they receive two meals and snacks provided by the Pebbles Nutrition Programme and have access to annual dental and health check-ups provided by the Pebbles Health Clinic.
The Pebbles Academy also offers extra-curricular activities such as music, computer literacy, dance and movement, arts and crafts, life skills and sport.
Visit www.pebblesproject.org for more information on the organisation.
