This investment was the result of Artscape's application for a skills programme to continue the work of the Wellington Music Skills Development Project.
"We wanted to give youths from poor rural communities the opportunity tobe skilled in music and performance in order to ensure they are able to access the many existing opportunities in the music industry," said CATHSSETA's CEO, Mike Tsotetsi.
Predominantly from the rural communities of Wellington and Mbekweni, the learners were selected to ensure that the development initiatives reach areas that are usually neglected.
The programme was run with the support of the Breytenbach Centre and St Albans Primary School in Wellington, which provided venues, as well as partners such as the Wellington Minstrels and the Frank Pietersen Music Centre, amongst others, who donated instruments to the band.
"This learnership centred on the talent of the learners. The knowledge imparted to the learners during this programme is meant to help them recognise and manage their talents as a business," said Tsotetsi.
A total of 17 learners received a National Certificate: Music Industry Practice (NQF Level 2). The 12-month practical training has provided them with academic learning while they also gained invaluable training in music literacy and performance.
They have performed at events like Woordfees, Wellington Concert, Artscape Youth Jazz Festival and quarterly performances to parents and project partners.
"How successful they become in their respective fields of expertise will be determined by how well they are able to interpret what they have learnt, and what will sustain their businesses and professions is our support and the investment such as that made by CATHSSETA to ensure continuous skills transfer and development," he said.
Artscape's audience development and education director, Marlene Le Roux, said that the certification ceremony was history in the making.
"This has been a year-long journey. Witnessing the programme coming to fruition is rewarding, having given jobless youngsters from rural areas an opportunity to learn music, to showcase their hidden talent, and provide them with a skill that is going to change their lives forever. This is the beginning of great things to come, not the end of the beginning," said Le Roux.
