Educational entrepreneur is helping to plug skills deficiencies

Nature of business

The AGSA is a private training and education institution operating in the further education and training (FET) sphere. It trains individuals, and government and private sector employees in tourism, hospitality, conservation and sport.

“As an FET college, one of the reasons we ventured into training and education was realisation of the skills gap we face as a country,” Matong says. “We were also motivated by the large number of students who complete Matric, but do not qualify; or lack resources to go to university.

“Our college gives a second chance to students like these, and to mature candidates who do not possess formal qualifications and need to gain formal skills.”

She describes her service differentiation in finer detail: “All our students enjoy the privilege of being trained theoretically in class, then taken to the workplace for practical in-house training.

“We consider ourselves fortunate to be receiving the kind of support we get from organisations such as North West Parks and Tourism Board, Mmabatho Palms, the Convention Centre and Kobo Segole Guest Lodge. They give us continuous support by offering practical exposure to our learners. They help us by ensuring our learners are ready for employment when they finish their studies.”

The academy’s target market is typically individuals and corporate organisations requiring first qualifications or to gain industry-specific training.

Credibility

Private educational institutions are often accused of offering fake qualifications. So how does the AGSA distinguish itself, and does the Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training ratify these qualifications?

“Our institution is accredited by the Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Seta, registered with the Department of Education, and we are a member of the Association of Private Providers of Education, Training & Development,” Matong explains.

“We always hold orientation sessions and encourage students or parents or organisations to verify our credentials, or those of any other college they may wish to enrol with, before they make final registrations.”

She describes herself as a necessity entrepreneur, and is blunt about challenges she faces in her chosen field. “It can be very difficult to start up as a private training institution, on the basis that you need to be accredited before you even start. Some people end up starting before getting accreditation, which affects the credibility of private education providers.

“And it is very difficult to take it upon yourself as a legitimate provider, to warn the public against enrolling with fly-by-night operators.”

The AGSA was started in 2003 with the head office located in Port Elizabeth, but has branches in Johannesburg, Polokwane and Mahikeng. It intends rolling out more branches in all nine provinces and finally expand into other African countries.

The academy trains thousands of students every year, including those on learnerships, skills courses and self-funded programmes. It offers national certificates in the fields of tourism, hospitality, conservation and sport. There are short skills courses for those who have limited budgets, or do not have time to complete national certificates.

The AGSA has scored success after success since inception, more so when students have gone on to hone their new skills in the workplace.

“It always puts wide smiles on our faces when we manage to train and help a student, for example in getting a national certificate in tourism guiding, then assist them to get accredited as a tour guide with South African Tourism,” says Matong. “We have a particular case of a student who has even opened his own business (Madibane Tours), after successfully completing training and getting accreditation as a tour guide.

“We have been able to successfully implement the notion of mixing theory and practical training since 2005, and are very proud of the feedback we get from our workplace hosts who endorse the competence of our students.

“The AGSA has no immediate plans for further expansion until thorough review of the performance of all satellite centres, and then ascertain whether we are ready to set up in other areas or provinces,” she adds.

Some of the courses the African Global Skills Academy offers in the its Hospitality Department include:

PROFESSIONAL COOKERY  (NQF 4 Hospitality)

This qualification has been developed for professionals in the food preparation industry. It brings together elements of food and drink preparation, as well as supervision. If you are passionate about cooking, this is the right programme for you.

This certificate can be used as an entry level to diploma level and is your first step toward becoming a professional chef.

The course includes modules such as:

• Communication;
• Customer services;
• Basic administration;
Food preparation;
• First aid and safety;
• Job coaching;
• Stock control;
• Carvery and buffet services; and
• Recipe and menu development.

Career opportunities

This qualification is applicable to all sectors, from small restaurants to large-scale hotels. With this national certificate, you can work in any hospitality kitchen as a junior chef.

FOOD AND BEVERAGE SERVICES (NQF 4 Hospitality)

This qualification brings together elements of food and drinks preparation and service as well as supervision, and has been developed for people in the food and beverage service industry. This is your first step toward becoming a food and beverage manager in a hotel or similar establishment, a restaurant manager, or the owner of your own restaurant or pub.

You will learn how to serve food and drinks to customers, as well as how to manage the environment in which these items are served.

This qualification affords you the skills for further study toward a Food and Beverage Management diploma.

The course includes modules such as:

• Communication;
• Customer services;
• Basic administration;
• Equipment handling and storage;
• Room, carvery, table and take-away service;
• Function and event supervision;
• Stock control;
• Payments point operation and money handling;
• Drinks preparation and service;
• First aid and safety; and
• Job coaching.

Career opportunities

You can find employment as a professional waitron or food and beverage supervisor in any establishment that serves food and drinks: from small coffee shops and bed & breakfast establishments, to large restaurants, hotels, conference centres and stadiums.

HOSPITALITY RECEPTION  (NQF 4 Hospitality)

This qualification has been developed for the reception function within the accommodation industry.

It brings together all aspects of front office and supervision. If you are friendly, warm, and love working with people, this programme is for you.

Working “front of house” at any accommodation establishment means that you will receive guests, handle their bookings and queries as well as ensure they are satisfied.

Hospitality reception is the first point of contact for a guest when he/she enters your establishment, and a huge responsibility indeed!

The qualification leads to an accommodation services diploma.

The course includes modules such as:

• Oral and written communication;
• Customer services;
• Front desk administration;
• Guest arrivals and departures;
• Reservations and booking systems;
• Maintaining butler and valet services;
• Stock control;
• Payments point operation and money handling;
• First aid and safety; and
• Job coaching.

Career opportunities

Opportunities include: bed & breakfast establishments, hotels, lodges, backpackers, campsites, holiday resorts as well as caravan parks.

Wherever there is accommodation provided for guests and tourists, you will be able to secure a position at the front desk!

ACCOMMODATION SERVICES (NQF 2)

This qualification has been developed for the accommodation industry, and brings together all aspects of housekeeping and basic supervision.

All hotels, bed & breakfast establishments and game lodges need beautiful clean rooms for their guests.

Accommodation services will prepare you to become part of the housekeeping team, and equip you to make sure guests always have a clean and friendly living environment.

The course includes modules such as:

• Oral and written communication;
• Customer services;
• Servicing guest bedroom areas;
• Handling and storage of equipment and materials;
• Maintaining the housekeeping service;
• Maintaining a preventative maintenance programme;
• Induction for new staff to the workplace;
• Stock control; and
• Job coaching.

Career opportunities

This qualification is applicable to all accommodation establishments. You will be able to supervise all housekeeping services in any hotel, lodge or bed & breakfast in the country, and will be able to take up a vital role in any housekeeping team.

The government has set a target of creating five million jobs in 10 years. It is a task it cannot accomplish in isolation, but for which entrepreneurs such as Innocentia Matong are primed to play a leading role through provision of skills that enable unemployed people to gain a permanent foothold into the workplace.

Minister of Higher Education and Training Dr Blade Nzimande has repeatedly reminded matriculants not to despair when they fail to gain entry into university, but seriously consider FET colleges as an option.

That is the role the African Global Skills Academy is fulfilling with distinction.

Nokukhanya Gasa