HUNDREDS of young people have been given hope, training and a brighter future through the Ray Mhlaba Skills Training Centre at the EP Child and Youth Centre in Port Elizabeth.

According to Caroline Ferreira of the training centre, they have, over the past few years, helped more than 500 youngsters aged between 18 and 25 to acquire skills for the hospitality, hairdressing, woodwork, crafts and early childhood development industries.

“More than 76% of our graduates have found meaningful employment or have become successful entrepreneurs since graduation”.

According to her they offer training courses free of charge to socially displaced and vulnerable youths. “Our students come from children’s homes, are children without parents, children who live in households with no income or children living in child-headed homes.”

Ferreira said the centre is entirely dependent on corporate and private sponsorship.

“We don’t receive any money from government. The success of the centre is without a doubt due to the generosity and support of businesses and individuals in Port Elizabeth”.

Apart from training youngsters, the centre also assists with finding suitable employment for graduates.

“We act as a job agency to the students. This has resulted in most of them finding suitable employment”.

According to Ferreira, apart from money sponsorship, they are always grateful for donations of any sort. “Be it kitchen appliances, power tools, wood or fabric, we always put donations to good use”.

She said the centre has a stall at the flea market at The Boardwalk where the public can buy goods made at the centre. “Since The Boardwalk attracts many international visitors, we focus on items with an African theme”.

The centre places huge emphasis on recycling. “It is very important for us to show our students one can make something from nothing,” said Ferreira. The skills training centre is in need of people willing to mentor students in the different fields of training. “People working in a particular industry have invaluable knowledge and enthusiasm to share with our students. This could either be in the form of mentorship programmes or guest lectures”.

She said the centre has excellent catering abilities and conferencing facilities which are open to the public. “We have a coffee shop and hairdresser on site and people are most welcome to come and visit us”.

Anyone who would like to get involved with the centre or would like to make a donation or get more information can contact Ferreira on 00413740641.