THAKHU CATERING AND EVENTS MANAGEMENT LAUNCHES PROFESSIONAL COOKERY LEARNERSHIP PROGRAMME IN ERMELO, WITBANK, AND RANDBURG

In a significant move to develop skills and combat unemployment, Thakhu catering and events management has launched a Professional Cookery Learnership Programme in partnership with HTA Training and Development, the Department of Employment & Labour, and the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF).

The 12-month programme kicked off this month and is currently being implemented across three regions: Ermelo, Witbank, and Randburg. A total of 200 participants have been enrolled, 50 in Ermelo, 50 in Witbank, and 100 in Randburg, all of whom will receive monthly stipends to support them throughout the duration of the training.

Each learnership is valued at an estimated R115,000 per participant, making this initiative a multi-million rand investment in community empowerment and workforce development. In addition to the Professional Cookery qualification, learners will also undergo ISO 9001 training, a globally recognized standard for quality management systems, enhancing their employability and professional credibility.

Thakhu catering and events management has absorbed all 200 participants into the programme and has expressed that learners who demonstrate excellence, discipline, and commitment may be considered for employment within any of the company’s operational kitchens after the programme concludes.

“This initiative is about much more than cooking, it's about creating sustainable opportunities and changing lives,” said a representative from Thakhu catering and events management.

“We are proud to invest in the future of our communities by providing not only skills but also a pathway to meaningful employment.”

With its strategic partnerships and dedication to upliftment, Thakhu catering and events management continues to position itself as a leader in social impact and workforce readiness, bringing real change to the communities it serves.