There are 600 000 deaf people in South Africa who use sign language and only about 30% have qualifications and good jobs, the rest are unemployed and have low education.

Not even half of the deaf population nationwide have jobs or higher education, according to the Deaf Federation of South Africa.

The ‘I Love Coffee Group’ is hoping to change that through its learnership programme. The South African social enterprise educates and employs Deaf youth to become baristas, chefs and all things hospitality.

The organisation has offered eight opportunities to potential deaf individuals to join their Business Administration learnership starting on September 12 in celebration of the Deaf Awareness Month.

Mike Morritt-Smith, of the I love Coffee Group (ILC) explained: “Many deaf South Africans face the challenge of finding jobs after completing school with the education they’ve received, but that does not mean it has to be the end of the road for them. There are many positions which can be filled by Deaf persons.

Source: Deaf youngsters get opportunity to become baristas or chefs through learnership