CSA GREEN ECONOMY OPPORTUNITY COURSE – Vulani Mabunda

CONSERVATION SOUTH AFRCA (CSA) contracted the Kruger2Canyons Biosphere Region NPC (K2C BR NPC) to implement andconduct a 5-day Green Economy opportunity training course for a total of 100 youth between the ages of 16-24 years during August 2019.

The Training took place in 5 locations in our landscape: In the North East, in the North West, the central, the South East and South West. The Training introduced unemployed youth to the World of Work in the Environmental Sector. The Training pursued the following Learning Objectives as per approved Training Plan:

·       To explain what role nature and biodiversity conservation play in the local economy

·       To name different types of eco-friendly jobs

·       To relate how to live their life and run a business in an eco-friendly way

·       To relate how to apply for green Internships and Learnerships  

On Day 1, we dealt with restoring our Land of Opportunity. Participants were a bit shy in the beginning but loosen up as the day progressed, they were interested in learning more about rangelands and conservation as a whole, participants had lots of questions and the questions were about the characteristics of rangelands, why is rangelands management important, and what is rangeland ecology. We also covered the Green Economy; the participants understood that green Economy improves people lives but limits damages to the environment, participants also identified community business who are using the 3Rs reduce, reuse and recycle, participants were eager to get more knowledge about the green Economy projects and how it operates, functions and its benefit to human beings.

On Day 2, we covered Career Pathing, hence majority of the participants are young and are looking into venturing in the field of employment, they were all inquisitive to know how to write their curriculum vitae’s. The participant engaged in a role play Activity for an interview situation, which led to them to think outside of the box.

Day 3 was about Business Development: The participants were in high spirit after the first two days and they came up with business ideas that stand out in their respective communities.

On Day 4 & 5, we specifically looked at Green Economy Careers. The Participants indicated that they were equipped and ready to go out there in the labour market of Green Economy; others showed keen interest of going to colleges and universities to study further in the field of their choice within the environmental sector.