PYDA launches talent to be the difference. Its ground-breaking programme is developing 18 – 25 year old historically disadvantaged youth for employment in the wine industry and related sectors such as hospitality and tourism.
Originally, the
Academy’s name was chosen for what the Pinotage grape represents and how it
resonated with the Academy’s vision – its distinctively South African roots,
its strong and lasting heritage, and its uniqueness. Since the current
curriculum focuses on the entire value-chain of wine, ‘Pinotage’ also offered
an obvious and direct link to the wine industry.
Since launching its
first class in 2013, the Academy has grown to represent much more. It is
developing talented youth, who largely face a lack of opportunities, into a new
generation of young professionals. By delivering self-sufficient, self-aware,
work-ready employees, it is bringing change to the wine industry and related
sectors. By exposing students to an entire value-chain, it is opening up a
whole new world of prospective employment and further learning streams to
students who previously had limited to no exposure to an industry that
contributes some R36 billion to the South African GDP.
Thus, although the
Academy proudly bears its Pinotage name and original link to what the
grape/wine represents, it also consciously promotes the fact that it is about
more than a specific varietal and industry. It is about development, upliftment
and meaningful employment – achieving sustainable change and impact for
students, their families, and their communities.
For more information
about this innovative programme, visit www.pyda.co.za or join the
conversation on Facebook and Twitter with the handle PYDAcademy.