The Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) hosted a Career Youth Day at the centre on Thursday, 12 June in order to pay tribute to National Youth Day.
“The purpose of the Career Youth Day was to empower the youth through education in order to successfully integrate them into the working environment”, says Megan Arendse, CTICC General Manager: Commercial and Business Development. The centre partnered with one of its community partners, the Mitchells Plain School of Skills on this initiative.
Over 150 students from the Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain School of Skills participated in an interactive workshop, career guidance sessions and inspirational talks, where various CTICC staff also shared their career journeys and success stories with the students. “When you provide an environment for individuals to prosper and learn, the opportunities are endless”, says Arendse.
The CTICC is committed to uplifting the communities in which it operates and to contributing to skills development and knowledge transfer. “CTICC recognises the importance of investing in the development of people, especially the youth, our future leaders. Providing a platform to facilitate knowledge exchange will not only advance and up-skill the hospitality industry, but will also contribute to a sustainable economy”, adds Arendse.
Since opening its doors in 2003, the CTICC has been a pivotal driver of economic growth and job creation in the Western Cape. “As a result of the events hosted at the centre over 7000 direct and indirect jobs are created in South Africa annually”, she adds.
“With the centre’s imminent expansion the CTICC’s contribution to job creation and economic spin-off is set to exponentially increase”, concludes Arendse.