Inauguration of new training kitchen
Vocational Training Creates Opportunities
Celebrating a milestone together - the inauguration of an excellent new training kitchen
HSF
Bergzicht Training and Development is a vocational training initiative in Bavaria's partner province, the Western Cape, South Africa. The Hanns Seidel Foundation has maintained a partnership with Bergzicht and the Western Cape for more than 30 years.
The new kitchen provides trainees—most of whom come from disadvantaged backgrounds—with a modern, industry-standard learning environment and prepares them for successful careers in the hospitality sector. It is an investment in the future of young people and in their opportunity to build independent and self-determined lives.
The project was made possible through the support of the CSU Parliamentary Group Initiative and the Bavarian State Chancellery, with Thomas Huber, MdL, personally advocating for this funding. It is an impressive example of how international partnerships can deliver tangible improvements for local communities.
The success of Bergzicht speaks for itself:
✅ 99% of graduates from the hospitality programme successfully enter the labour market.
✅ 84% of graduates remain in long-term employment one year after completing their training.
„These impressive results demonstrate what can be achieved when practical vocational training, individual support, and strong partnerships between government, the private sector, and civil society come together," said Thomas Huber, MdL.
At the opening ceremony, Dr Ivan Meyer, Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, emphasised:
"This is what success looks like. The longstanding cooperation between Bergzicht, the Hanns Seidel Foundation, the Bavarian State Chancellery, and the HSS partners in the Western Cape demonstrates how international cooperation strengthens education, promotes employment, and enables sustainable development."
One of the students captured the significance of the project perfectly during the ceremony:
"This place is more than just a kitchen. It is also where we learn to believe in ourselves."
We extended our congratulations to the entire Bergzicht team, all project partners, and the dedicated trainees. We are proud to contribute together to creating brighter futures and new opportunities for young people.
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