{"id":4499,"date":"2025-12-15T12:27:27","date_gmt":"2025-12-15T10:27:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/?p=174375"},"modified":"2025-12-15T12:27:27","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T10:27:27","slug":"empact-group-celebrates-milestone-as-15-students-complete-three-year-chef-qualification","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/empact-group-celebrates-milestone-as-15-students-complete-three-year-chef-qualification\/","title":{"rendered":"Empact Group Celebrates Milestone as 15 Students Complete Three-Year Chef Qualification"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>\n

Empact Group has reached a significant milestone in its commitment to transform lives through professional training designed for employees\u2019 families. 15 young chefs have successfully completed the final practical examination of their three-year Occupational Certificate: Chef qualification.<\/p>\n

The programme, sponsored by Empact Group\u2019s Food by Empact division, reflects the company\u2019s \u201cDo Right By You\u201d philosophy in practice. In 2022, Empact invited employees to nominate family members for a unique opportunity: a fully-funded, three-year culinary qualification that would prepare them for professional careers in the hospitality industry.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis programme is a clear commitment to building South Africa\u2019s future through these young people,\u201d says Colette Herbst, Head of Learning & Development at Empact Group. \u201cThree years ago, many of these students couldn\u2019t have imagined this opportunity. Watching them develop from nervous beginners into confident culinary professionals has been a real privilege. The qualification has opened doors they didn\u2019t know existed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rigorous final examination tests culinary mastery:<\/strong>
The students recently prepared and served a four-course meal during their final practical examination, which was judged by the NDS Chefs Academy examination team and served to VIP guests. This year\u2019s ambitious menu included vegan options for both starter and dessert, challenging the students to work with unfamiliar ingredients and master techniques beyond the traditional three-course format.<\/p>\n

Examiners assessed cooking technique, plating and presentation, timing, hygiene and safety, creativity, cost management and nutritional aspects across a two-day examination. The first day focused on mise en place, pre-preparation and venue setup, whilst the second day tested cooking, finishing and service under pressure.<\/p>\n

Real-world experience sets graduates apart:<\/strong>
The qualification (SAQA ID: 101697, NQF Level 5) combines theoretical knowledge with extensive practical skills in planning, preparing and executing high-quality cuisine, along with kitchen management and safety. Run in partnership with NDS Chefs Academy, the programme includes classroom theory at Empact\u2019s Linbro Park offices and workplace training across the company\u2019s food service sites.<\/p>\n

This hands-on approach gives graduates a distinct advantage. Students spend significantly more time in professional kitchens than typical class-based programmes, which often include only three to six months of work-integrated learning. By year three, students have worked across diverse catering environments, developing genuine industry experience and professional work ethics.<\/p>\n

Students exceed expectations:<\/strong>
The programme has produced standout talent across the cohort. When the group needed an executive chef for their final examination, they unanimously chose Kagiso Pitso \u2013 recognition of her natural leadership abilities that have shone throughout the three years. Tshepo Maake has become known for his willingness to help, going beyond what\u2019s required whether he\u2019s in the classroom, working on practical assignments or on site. Meanwhile, Boipelo Maringa pairs technical culinary competence with creative writing skills, producing thoughtful food blogs that showcase her understanding of cuisine. Zandile Mahlangu combines technical precision with genuine passion, bringing tenacity and skill to every dish she prepares.<\/p>\n

The students\u2019 own words reveal the programme\u2019s impact. They speak of gaining deep knowledge about the hospitality industry and its challenges, developing strong food handling skills and seeing dramatic improvement over three years. Many have gained the confidence to seek opportunities outside Gauteng, eager to broaden their experience in new environments.<\/p>\n

Opening doors to professional futures:<\/strong>
Their path to full qualification continues with the students writing their National Artisan Moderation Body (NAMB) Trade Test in March 2026. Recent changes by the QCTO mean they can now apply for trade testing immediately after completing their final exams, removing what was previously a longer waiting period between finishing the programme and achieving professional certification.<\/p>\n

Throughout the three years, Empact has covered all tuition costs and provided stipends so students could focus on their studies without financial pressure. The investment creates tangible returns: graduates leave with three years of workplace experience across diverse catering environments, making them highly employable. Empact\u2019s goal is to employ these graduates within the business, bringing skilled professionals into their own operations. However, students also have the choice to use their internationally recognised qualification to travel the world, with opportunities on cruise ships and in kitchens abroad.<\/p>\n

Of the 17 students who began in 2022, 15 have reached this final milestone. Their success reflects Empact\u2019s conviction that supporting employees means investing in their families\u2019 futures, creating opportunities that ripple through generations and contribute to South Africa\u2019s economic development.<\/p>\n

For more information about Empact Group\u2019s service offering send an email to info@empactgroup.co.za, call 011 209 2400 or visit www.empactgroup.co.za<\/p>\n

CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Author<\/strong>: Mona-Sarah Braham Chaouch from Angelfish Pr and Events on behalf of Empact Group<\/strong>.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

Pages: Page <\/span>1<\/span> Page <\/span>2<\/a><\/div>\n

CLICK HERE to Read the Original Press Release on MyPR<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Empact Group has reached a significant milestone in its commitment to transform lives through professional training designed for employees\u2019 families. 15 young chefs have successfully completed the final practical examination of their three-year Occupational Certificate: Chef qualification. The programme, sponsored by Empact Group\u2019s Food by Empact division, reflects the company\u2019s \u201cDo Right By You\u201d philosophy in …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","autoblue_enabled":true,"autoblue_custom_message":"","autoblue_shares":[{"did":"did:plc:revymtt5qssww7e7avbruzic","date":"2025-12-15T11:33:57+00:00","uri":"at:\/\/did:plc:revymtt5qssww7e7avbruzic\/app.bsky.feed.post\/3m7zjye23mr22","response":"{\"uri\":\"at:\/\/did:plc:revymtt5qssww7e7avbruzic\/app.bsky.feed.post\/3m7zjye23mr22\",\"cid\":\"bafyreihwxy7p4msep5p44wxjnsis632m4eimonfjiva2hwewykma3iycra\",\"commit\":{\"cid\":\"bafyreiatxwwsh5hgb76o4hyqpg2sgy2l5f7lnbboydtdrd2mh5bz63k4zu\",\"rev\":\"3m7zjye2kbj22\"},\"validationStatus\":\"valid\"}"}],"autoblue_post_url":"","autoblue_publish_document":false,"republication-tracker-tool-hide-widget":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[29],"class_list":["type-post","category-news","tag-mypr-africa","entry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4499","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4499"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4499\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4499"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4499"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4499"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}