Living or spending time in the Cape Winelands comes with many wonderful perks that is available to most of us. However, amongst all of this beauty is a dire need for trained and skilled professionals to provide the services that keep the tourism industry alive and the Franschhoek Wine Valley top of mind when it comes to local and international visitors.
Due to a need for more skilled people within the hospitality industry as well as a means of local youth upliftment, the Franschhoek Hospitality Academy & Learning Centre (FHALC) was established. The FHALC is a registered NPO and PBO.
The Academy started its journey in 2018 with 20 historically disadvantaged students from Franschhoek’s local communities, providing an almost free hospitality training program. The project has become well known within the valley as Change4Twenty as this is how their first pilot class of 2018 was comprised, with 20 eager students willing to work hard in their one-year programme, in order to provide a hopeful future for themselves and their families. Sixteen of the twenty successfully graduated and are now employed by many of the region’s local establishments.
Each year, two to three students are selected for a full-time two-year bursary to study at the International College of Tourism and Management in Austria. Currently there are four students - two from the Class of 2018 and two from the Class of 2019 – studying in Austria, and upon their return will be utilise their skills efficiently.
The FHALC is growing from strength to strength, training a further 21 Students in 2019 in the one-year programme, with 13 students successfully graduating and working within the industry as well as training another 100 locals in the Evening Short Courses that they offer.
In its infancy the academy was operating from various locations in and around Franschhoek. However, 2020 marked an exciting year for the academy, as together with the support from the Franschhoek Valley, they have successfully raised enough money to operate from their own premises as well as build a training kitchen. The facilities will be fully operational from April 2020.
The positive influence of the academy and all its partners, donors and supporters has had a profound impact on the students’ lives, and continued support from individuals and businesses is greatly appreciated.
To find out more information on the academy and how you can help visit www.fhalc.co.za.
MORE ON #WINEFORGOOD
There are plenty of good news stories about upliftment and transformation in the South African Wine Industry. The #wineforgood website, launched by wine.co.za in June 2016, hosts all the positive stories from the winelands, of which there are plenty. wine.co.za has made April a focus for #wineforgood stories. Share them far and wide and spread the good news about South African wine.