The Department of Tourism hosted a graduation ceremony for 88 sommelier graduates of the Wine Service Training Programme in KwaZulu Natal this week.
A departmental spokesperson noted that wine-pairing was fast becoming a service on offer at many establishments and the demand was growing. “The development of this niche sub-sector aims to enhance the hospitality experience in creating a multi-sensory culinary adventure,” she said.
For this reason, the Department allocated a budget from the Expanded Public Works Programme to the Western Cape and KwaZulu Natal provinces to deliver a Wine Service Training Programme during the 2021/22 financial year.
The programme aims to train 252 unemployed youth from KwaZulu Natal and the Western Cape in the hospitality-related Culture, Art, Tourism, Hospitality and Sports Sector Education and Training Authority (Cathsseta) Skills Programme.
The programme includes qualifications for Bar Attendant (SAQA ID HSP/BarAtt/2/0027) and Drink Service (SAQA ID HSP/DSRVA/2/0024). Learners also received training from the Sommelier Academy (South African and International Wine and Wine Ambassador) and South African Sommeliers Association (Introductory Sommelier Certificate). The programme entails three months’ theory training and nine months’ experiential training.
The training started on November 1 last year and the learners qualified on October 31.
The graduates received their Skills Programmes certificates accredited by Cathsseta, Sommelier Academy and the SA Sommelier Association.
Twenty-year-old graduate, Yashiel Birkramchud, from Phoenix, said: “This has been a positive and empowering experience for me and I will encourage other young adults to apply for this programme.”
Nothando Khuzwayo (26) from Ballito echoed this. “I consider myself very lucky to be equipped with these invaluable skills and am forever grateful to the Department of Tourism.”
Although the programme was successfully implemented, those offering the courses said learners would require additional training to be multi-skilled and be in a position to acquire further job opportunities. These include barista skills, wine farm tourist guiding, entrepreneurship and management skills.
The Department continues to advance the tourism and hospitality experience and reaffirms its commitment to training and development, which will yield many happy returns and will contribute to the Tourism Sector Recovery Plan. This intervention plays a major role in the tourism value chain.
