Project Management Learnership Empowers Local Youth
An accredited learnership programme that launched earlier this year is empowering 10 local young people with valuable skills to enhance their employability in the field of project management. The initiative targeted community-conscious youths, providing them with access to exciting work environments, such as the local springbok community radio station.
The success of this Project Management initiative lies in the strong partnership between local organisations and the youth, allowing participants to gain practical work experience. The programme combines theoretical learning with practical experience, enabling participants to earn an NQF Level 5 qualification accredited by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO).
“I joined the programme to develop myself, learn new skills and gain practical experience. The programme helped me realise that project management is not just for large companies, but for any work environment. The most valuable thing I learned is how important teamwork and good communication are. I realised that success depends on cooperation, respect and using everyone's strengths to achieve a common goal,” said Anri Newman, one of the programme participants who did her practical at Radio NFM.
Funded by Kangnas Wind Farm, the learnership focused on essential workplace competencies such as team collaboration, effective communication, problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and the implementation of projects from start to finish.
“This learnership not only enhances the professional prospects of these young people but also contributes to the broader goal of fostering skilled, motivated, and community-conscious individuals ready to make a positive impact in the workforce,” explained Rouchet Daniels, Economic Development Manager for Kangnas Wind Farm.
The six-month learnership was structured into two phases: the first half included classroom-based theoretical learning, and the second half included placements with local stakeholder organisations, which are developing youth in the local community. These included Legal Arts Hub, Undulata, BVI, Concordia High School, Radio NFM, Kangnas Wind Farm, JLK Business Consulting, Ecast Solutions, and Steinkopf Tourism and Investments, all of whom played an integral role in providing valuable real-world exposure to the learners.
Candidates for the learnership were carefully selected through an application and interview process that assessed motivation, potential, and suitability for the programme.
Set to conclude with a graduation ceremony on 29 November 2025, the programme also empowered learners to give back to their community by taking part in the wind farm’s Youth Day project at a local nursing home, where they spent the day engaging with the elderly.
