GRSM Spearheads R 36.4 Million Tourism and Hospitality Project in Garden Route

On the 5th of August 2024, a significant stride was made towards bolstering the tourism and hospitality sector in South Africa's picturesque Garden Route. Delegates from the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), National Skills Fund (NSF), and notable training entities converged at a pivotal workshop to flesh out the details of a R 36.4 million project aimed at skill enhancement within the industry.

The Garden Route and Klein Karoo Hospitality and Tourism Skills Development Project, as it's officially known, was upheld by officials from the GRDM's Skills Development, Finance and Tourism department, NSF representatives, and experts from Eden Hospitality & Training as well as Africa Skills George Tech. The workshop was not merely a gathering but a concerted effort to establish a solid foundation for the project's technical execution and trajectory.

The GRDM, undertaking the project management role, pursues this initiative as part of the Garden Route Skills Mecca (GRSM) endeavor, which flourished in the wake of the devastating Knysna Fires of 2017. The focus rests on two principal objectives: to upscale individuals' capabilities within the tourism and hospitality sector and to provide much-needed employment through structured work experience placements.

Armed with online innovation, the GRSM has skillfully handled an overwhelming flood of over 1,000 applications, orchestrating a recruitment procedure for potential cooks and individuals seeking work exposure. Dr. Florus Prinsloo, Programme Manager of the GRSM, revealed the significant lead-up activities undertaken to reach this milestone, from advocacy to digitizing the recruitment process.

As preparations forge ahead, the selection of Eden Hospitality & Training as the accredited provider for the Cook Training program augurs well for local investment and talent cultivation. However, the call for employer participation remains loud and clear, with an appeal for more establishments to open their doors to the aspiring workforce.

On the workshop docket were discussions on project deliverables, financial management and reporting, the safeguarding of learner data, and communication strategies, among other key operational concerns. With such meticulous planning, the GRDM foresees a successful project implementation supported by a robust structural setup across local municipalities.

Adding to the initiative's validation, GRDM's Executive Mayor, Andrew Stroebel, has pledged his support. In a show of confidence, Mayor Stroebel is set to host the project's formal unveiling at Carpe Diem School come September, signifying a communal embrace of this transformative undertaking.

As the gears of development start to turn, the buzz of anticipation amongst stakeholders and future beneficiaries hints at a renaissance for the Garden Route's tourism and hospitality prospects – one where skill, opportunity, and community converge for collective advancement.