College Peer Ambassadors promote Higher Education learning in rural areas

Access to higher education in rural areas is undoubtedly scarce, with most universities being hours away. This is where TVET Colleges play a major role in higher education and training in the country. It is without doubt that TVET Colleges are earmarked to combat challenges facing youth unemployment and skills shortages. Waterberg TVET College has, in its striving for youth empowerment, targeted learners in rural areas for its advocacy programmes.

The College was invited to a career exhibition at the Faith Mission Church in Ga-Maja. It is a rural village in Limpopo Province which is affected by many of the socio-economic ills that plague most rural areas in the country. Learners present on that day were briefed by the Colleges’ Peer Ambassadors, respectively representing Hospitality, Engineering and Primary Agriculture.

In its 2018 Apply Now campaign, the College has adopted a Peer Ambassador modus operandi to engage learners on a personal level. The Peer Ambassadors gave a brief overview of their respective fields. What triggered great interest is when demonstrations of table setting, cocktails and vegetable servings were set.

Primary Agriculture student Lerato Lesufi, engaged with the learners. She encouraged them to consider agriculture as a field of study. She informed them of how it teaches one to think beyond being employed. It presents opportunities for entrepreneurship and the creation of employment opportunities for others.

David Madubanya, who is an Electrical Engineering student, informed the learners how much he has already learnt through the Work Based Exposure programme organised by the College. “I repair my neighbours’ and family’s electrical appliances for a fee,” he added.

Representatives of the Marketing Department informed students on the NSFAS bursary scheme and the importance of applying now to avoid stampedes and disappointments in January.

Sourced from TVET College Times – Volume 54 2018