The North-West University’s Unit for Continuing Education (UCE), and the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences recently joined forces with the Culture, Art, Tourism, Hospitality, and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA) to facilitate a skills training programme within the hospitality sector. The short learning programme was aimed at empowering unemployed youth.

According to Mr Junior Mthimkhulu, a project manager at the UCE, the short learning programme initiated in October 2017, saw 59 individuals successfully completing the programme on Guest House and B&B Management.

The programme focused on both theory and practical experience, with the latter being conducted at the NWU Sport Village in Potchefstroom. One of the students, Fikile Letebele, impressed to such an extent that he was offered permanent employment at the NWU Sport Village.

Another three students who completed the programme are now enrolled full-time at the NWU’s campuses in Potchefstroom and Vanderbijlpark to study towards an academic qualification.

More about the Unit for Continuing Education

The Unit for Continuing Education (UCE) is fittingly designed to have a positive academic impact that is of benefit to the broader society. The unit furthermore manages and coordinates all continuing education (CE) courses at the NWU. The unit plays an important role within the continuing education sphere:

• It supports the NWU’s innovation strategy by affording an opportunity for rapid dissemination of new knowledge to the broader community, the world of work and other interested parties.
• It contributes to the corporate social responsibility and community engagement activities of the university.
• It makes a meaningful contribution to the economic development strategy of South Africa by providing lifelong learning opportunities designed to align with national skills development priorities.
• It creates an opportunity for individuals who would not otherwise be in a position to benefit from the services and academic programmes of the NWU, thereby constituting and important aspect of the NWU’s transformation strategy.

Within the NWU structure, the UCE reports to Prof Robert Balfour, the deputy vice-chancellor for teaching and learning. The unit is headed-up by Ms Ria Nel, director for UCE Operations, and Dr Sazi Kunene, director for UCE Business Development.

A total of 59 students completed the short learning programme on Guest House and B&B Management.