It has been a dream for a long time, but the Peermont Hotel School recently became a reality.<\/p>\n
The school has opened its doors and is currently hard at work training its first 72 students.<\/p>
The students will be trained either as chefs, in housekeeping or as waiters.<\/p>\n
Over the next three year the school is set to train 1 080 students and set them on their chosen career paths.<\/p>
There are many challenges that face the youth of South Africa, however, education and unemployment are two of the most concerning.<\/p>\n
In an effort to make a positive contribution to tourism development, the Peermont Community Benefit Trust (PCBT), in association with service provider Celo, identified an opportunity to establish the Peermont Hotel School.<\/p>\n
Supported by the Ekurhuleni Metro, the school offers skills-based training that gives young individuals the necessary platform and opportunity to start a career in the hospitality industry.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe hospitality sector remains one of the fastest growing sectors in the economy,” said Vusi Zwane, a PCBT trustee.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith that in mind, the Peermont Hotel School empowers the community through education and development, ultimately grooming our future hospitality leaders.\u201d<\/p>\n
Celo, hospitality specialists in events, training and consulting, have been appointed by the PCBT to establish the school and manage the delivery of the training programmes.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe method of delivery and type of training will ensure transfer of skills and creation of jobs and, in so doing, contribute towards poverty alleviation,\u201d said Jeanne Visagie, of Celo.<\/p>\n
Located at Emperors Palace, the school offers skills proficiency certificates to chefs, waiters and housekeepers.<\/p>\n
All students are contracted on a 12-month basis and, over-and-above the bursary, receive a stipend from the metro.<\/p>\n
They will spend two months at the school, two months at Emperors Palace and a further eight months with hospitality industry partners, for practical experience.<\/p>\n
These underprivileged individuals, especially those from child-headed households and vulnerable youth, will enjoy access to the marketplace.<\/p>\n
The duration of the qualification supports the students in becoming employable and to earn an income to support their families.<\/p>\n
There are a number of factors that make the Peermont Hotel School different from other hotel schools.<\/p>\n
The most notable is that the school was founded through a need that existed for basic skills in the hospitality industry.<\/p>\n