Testimonials

PG Bison started with a Learnership in General Forestry for Unemployed workers in the Rheendal area, Southern Cape. Many of the Learners were previously employed by Van Rheenen Poles but got laid off because the company closed down.

PG Bison owns Ruigtevlei forest in the area and offered to take learners who complete up to Level 3 in forestry, in service.

Mr Godfrey Felix, was the facilitator that had the huge task to teach the learners the Maths modules. He was very concerned because many of the Learners left school because they couldn’t get Maths under the knee at school, and some even left school because of maths.

Mr Felix, an award winning Math Teacher in the Western Cape did very well at the task ahead. ALL learners came out competent for the 5 Maths Unit Standards. One of the Learners said, that if Maths were taught to him, like Mr Felix did at school – he would have finished his Matric.

After a successful maths session, the learners spoiled Me Felix with something to eat and a gift to celebrate their achievement.

Thank you for your commitment and going the extra mile Mr Felix!!

In 2011 PG Bison started a Learnership at NECF for 29 Unemployed Learners. The aim was to build capacity and get unemployed youth trained in Forestry so that PG Bison and their contractors has a pool of trained staff that they can source employment from.

The Learners started with Level 1 in General Forestry and the year after continued to the Level 3 Forestry qualification. Huge successes came from this group. All Learners completed successfully and a lot of these learners, including Namojola Fente – that got a bursary from PG Bison to study Forestry at NMMU – came from this group.

During a visits form the Ministerial Advisory committee, the Learners were asked to do presentations on what they were taught regarding forestry. The committee members could believe what these young learners were taught and the knowledge they gained while on the Learnership. They took this model to the Minister of Agriculture in order to implement it nationally where communities were given land – in order to build capacity in communities regarding the planting of trees and forestry in general.

Out of the 11 Learners from Qumbu, 5 were appointed as managers on the Qumbu project and are now earning salaries from the Coop. 3 of the Leaners were appointed as First Aiders – also now getting a salary.
The Level 3 Leaners came back a year later, requesting training in Management, and they are doing a Level 4 Learnership in Management that will conclude at the end of 216.

29 young people’s life’s changed for ever.

Dear Desré,

The past two days on course with you as our moderator has reference.

Your course was really well presented, and I must applaud you for keeping us riveted for 2 days. Your knowledge of your subject and your interesting background over the years kept us all spellbound.

All of us really learnt a lot and loads of changes will be proposed from next week, when Ivano and Anja is back – trust me (us 🙂

Again, a big thank you for hosting us – we will also miss the lunches and your hospitality!

Please feel free to visit us one day (and bring Pietie with 🙂 ) You, and your company will see us again.

Kind regards and best wishes

Cassie Nel
Base Manager & Air Safety Officer
Starlite International Aviation Training Academy Mossel Bay