EThekwini Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda officially opened the Westown Training Centre on 19 April. The centre will offer construction training to local youth.

A FACILITY that will greatly benefit the community by focusing on skills development, education, and literacy, was opened by eThekwini Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda on 19 April. The Westown Training Centre aims to foster the sustainable participation of the greater Shongweni community, in the socio-economic and environmental opportunities that the development of Westown will create. 

The centre was made possible by the Westown Foundation, in collaboration with Stefanutti Stocks Academy. Mayor Kaunda said: “We welcome the opening of this centre as it is in line with government’s skills revolution programme. We are confident that workers will be armed with skills that are relevant to the job market. This will significantly contribute to reducing unemployment in the City.” The Stefanutti Stocks Academy offers CETAaccredited plant operator training, an accredited apprenticeship programme, and cater to specific skills training requirements.

The academy’s courses are presented by registered facilitators, assessors, and moderators. Both the Westown
Foundation and the Stefanutti Stocks Academy have skills development and literacy as cornerstones that will enable self-sufficient local communities to access opportunities, both in the immediate area and further afield, to live, work and thrive in the long term. Over the next two years, the training facility will provide development and training opportunities for up to 15 qualifying individuals per intake. 

It is anticipated that over the two-year period about 80 operators will qualify and around 500 people will be equipped with the relevant skills to find work in the construction sector within the province, some of which will be at Westown.