WESSA Groen Sebenza Handbook 2021

Groen Sebenza Overview

How did Groen Sebenza come about?

The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) embarked on a major skills development and job creation pilot programme in 2013 and named it Groen Sebenza. Starting out as a Jobs Fund Partnership Project funded by the National Treasury aimed at developing priority skills in the biodiversity sector to create sustainable job opportunities for unemployed graduates and non-graduates. The project matches young South Africans from previously disadvantaged backgrounds with experienced biodiversity professionals to learn and gain the competence and confidence to embark on rewarding and meaningful biodiversity careers.

Groen Sebenza Facts:

• Groen Sebenza aims to develop priority skills in the biodiversity sector in order to generate sustainable jobs for unemployed graduates and matriculants. • Groen Sebenza is currently funded by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries & the Environment (DFFE) and forms part of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP)

The objective of Groen Sebenza is to bridge the gap between education and job opportunities in the biodiversity sector and the green economy.

• Groen Sebenza gives the participating youth workplace experience through a structured mentoring, skills development and training programme. • South Africa has a shortage of skills to manage its biodiversity. The project has been designed to address this lack of skills which has historical roots. • The training and mentoring of the participants will result in the building of a pool of young and capable professionals in the biodiversity sector. Some of these young people will go on to become entrepreneurs in the sector. • The partnership approach of Groen Sebenza will result in a strong, integrated, multi-institutional skills development and job creation system. • South Africa’s green economy offers substantial opportunities for job creation and development, particularly in biodiversity and natural resource management. • The value of South Africa’s ecosystems services is R73 billion per annum or 7% of the GDP. • Investing in human capacity to grow the country’s natural capital is ultimately an investment in the economy.

Groen Sebenza Handbook

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