Atvance Academy has launched a second campus at The Farm Recreation Center where they are offering free courses.
Administrator Robertha Le Roux said they want more young people to join these courses. “These courses will help them but our young people are not motivated enough to start the course,” she said (“Free college launch“ Plainsman July 10, 2019).
“We’re happy that 30 of them have been registered but we need 70 more to make the course happen. Ward 76 councillor Avron Plaatjies has connected the dots for us to make it happen. We want to continue to uplift the community,” said Ms Le Roux.
Mr Plaatjies said after the academy approached him, he has been helping to encourage more young people to enrol.
“They should continue to do what they’re doing and open up spaces and awareness of this programme in schools and other communities. This is a great opportunity for young people to be educated and informed,” he said.
Atvance Academy at The Farm Recreation Centre is offering a Business Administration course with the minimum entry requirement being Grade 10.
The second course they’re offering is IT (Information Technology) with the minimum requirement for entry, matric. Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 27 and will be required to attend class once a week for four hours.
“We want all of the young people from Mitchells Plain to use these services and information for their benefit. We want to make a difference in their lives. Parents can’t afford to send them to study, we want to help,” she said.
Regional co-ordinator Claude Le Roux, said they host graduation ceremonies at the end of their courses.
Graduate and volunteer assistant Lizane Rossouw said she enjoyed the course and that Ms Le Roux was helping her to find a job.
“They are the mother and father to students and we appreciate them a lot. This has been a beautiful journey. I don’t think I would have made it this far if I did not join this programme with them as it has really helped me,” she said.
Pauline Thompson, facilities manager and caretaker at The Farm Recreation Center, said she felt the initiative would help uplift the community as there were many youngsters who dropped out of school and struggled due to finances.
“Most times they will end up on the streets and belong to gangs. It’s a good initiative for young people so that they can empower themselves and become something in life but if you work hard you can go in and get it,” said Ms Thompson.
For more information, send a WhatsApp message to 067 803 6320 or visit The Farm Recreation Center. Take a certified copy of your ID and highest grade pass documents with you.