EPWP Beneficiaries Graduate from West Coast College

The Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP)  made it possible for 376 students to graduate from Early Childhood Development (ECD) learnerships at West Coast College’s annual graduation ceremony in Malmesbury on 5 June 2015.

Beneficiaries were enrolled either for the Further Education and Training Certificate in ECD or the Higher Certificate in ECD at various regional colleges between February 2013 and December 2014. These learneships are accredited at Level 4 and 5 of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) and was funded by the Department of Transport and Public Works, Department of Social Development and the Western Cape Education Department. The target group was ECD practitioners who had no formal qualification but were already working in the field.

EPWP Social Sector Coordinator Paulett Apollis said it was encouraging to see the great impact the project is having on the confidence, energy and life opportunities of the beneficiaries.

“These learnerships expanded the ECD sector on the West Coast with more experienced and qualified practitioners, while simultaneously creating better employment opportunities for beneficiaries. Today, we are proud of them and celebrate their achievements,” said Apollis.

EPWP beneficiary Gertrude Barry (39), who works at a crèche in Atlantis, was delighted.

“To graduate with a ECD Level 4 qualification was one of the happiest and proudest moments of my life. I am so grateful for the knowledge I’ve gained, while also receiving a monthly stipend during training. I am now able to apply this knowledge in my workplace to helping children, and loving them,” said Barry.

This initiative was just another example of the Western Cape Government’s commitment to enhancing the career development of EPWP beneficiaries and their chances of finding better jobs.