35 young people from 6 schools in the Province recently (Tuesday, 3 October) received their certificates from AgriTrain for completing the bridging programme called A Window to the Future. The programme assisted these young people through a life-enrichment and skills training as well as an academic support programme to take up new professional opportunities that have become increasingly available in the agricultural sector.

AgriTrain, under leadership of Margaret Africa, was established as an initiative to address the problem of rural underdevelopment. "Often learners leaving school in the rural areas are particularly vulnerable to the challenges of entering the job market and require an intervention designed to assist them in developing a career path suited to their individual talents and potential," explains Margaret. "AgriTrain's bridging programme A Window To The Future is such an intervention and has been implemented in its first pilot format."

Not neglecting the opportunities in the agricultural industry AgriTrain recently has also broadened its target to introduce young people to other professions such as veterinary science, actuarial science, accountancy and more.

"It is AgriTrain's firm belief and experience that relevant and targeted education and training will grow learners to become socially matured, culturally enriched and economically productive citizens," says Margaret. "The goal of the programme is to bridge the gap between the world of the school and that of the institutions of higher learning and of the workplace and we believe we have achieved that."

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Enquiries:
Margaret Africa
Tel: 021 862 2861
Charlene Nieuwoudt
Communications Manager
Western Cape Department of Agriculture
Tel: 021 808 5008
Fax: 021 808 5000
www.elsenburg.com