The Department of Tourism offers the National Youth Chefs Training Programme with the South African Chefs Association (SA Chefs) as the implementing agent. This programme provides training in the field of professional cookery for the selected beneficiaries nationwide, enabling them to gain access to the hospitality industry.
Note phase 5 of the project is at the final stage and is the last intake of this programme.
The structure of the programme is as follows:
Year 1
The beneficiaries are trained in the National Certificate of Professional Cookery NQF 3 which consists of 145 credits. The training is 30% theory and 70% practical. After completion of the first phase, beneficiaries will obtain a National Certificate in Professional Cookery NQF4. Beneficiaries will be introduced to the fundamentals, core and electives unit standard of Professional Cookery. This qualification is recognised by all cookery or food-related sectors, from small restaurants to large-scale hotels. It will promote the career development of said beneficiaries as well as subsequent job creation.
Year 2 and 3
The beneficiaries who have successfully completed the first year will proceed to Years 2
and 3 where they will obtain a National Diploma in Professional Cookery NQF 5 which consists of 265 credits. Thereafter, they continue to phase 3 during which they will be placed in different hospitality establishments which will take them through an extensive training programme. When they have fulfilled all the requirements of the programme, they will be registered by the SA Chefs as professional chefs.
The duration for each level is 10 months and exams include the following methods of assessment:
- Summative assignments
- Portfolio of evidence or logbook
- Food safety in catering
- Final International City & Guilds Examination
The NYCTP is a block release programme where the learner spends one-day a week at a training provider (hotel school) and four days a week at the selected hotel or catering institution.
Criteria for selection of beneficiaries.
- Proficiency in English and basic knowledge of numeracy
- Unemployed youth between 18 and 35 years of age
- Grade 12 with Tourism as a school subject being an added advantage
- South African citizen
- Have a passion for Tourism and Hospitality
Hospitality Youth Training Programme
The Hospitality Youth Training Programme is a twelve-month learnership programme targeting unemployed youth. The project is rolled out in all nine provinces in South Africa. Learners are trained in tourism and hospitality related fields to enable them to gain experience in the overall operations of the industry. Training is offered through accredited training institutions. This programme provides training within the tourism and hospitality value chain in the following qualifications:
- National Certificate Food and Beverages NQF level 4; and
- National Certificate Fast Food Services NQF3.
The training is 70% practical and 30% theory. At the end of training, they receive certificates which are accredited by the Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sports Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA).
Criteria for Selection of beneficiaries.
- Proficiency in English and basic knowledge of Numeracy
- Unemployed youth between 18 and 35 years of age
- Grade 11 or Grade 12 with Tourism as a school subject being an added advantage
- South African citizen
- Have a passion for Tourism and Hospitality