The Strategic Fuel Fund (SFF) made it possible for The Salesian Institute Youth Projects (SIYP) Learn to Live School of Skills, to reveal a brand new upgraded Woodwork Skills Centre through a 1-year funding agreement that enabled SIYP to expand the workshop facility and equip the workshop with new tools. “The objective is to build capacity in both students and facilitator through an improved learning space which best supports their needs,” said the Strategic Fuel Fund.

The Learn to Live School of Skills serves around 240 youth from at-risk backgrounds in and around Cape Town, no longer functional in mainstream schooling,  the opportunity to gain education and vocational skills training over a 4-year programme. The Learn to Live School is an independent school of skills and follows the Western Cape Department’s curriculum for schools of skills. The learners aged 14 to 18, receive basic education and training in a safe and therapeutic environment with academic subjects through a project-based learning methodology. There are 4 vocational workshops to choose from Hairdressing, Hospitality, Electrical and Woodwork.

The Strategic Fuel Fund opted to invest in the Woodwork workshop enabling SIYP  to upgrade the workshop into a Woodcraft Skills Training Centre with brand new tools and equipment that will support the woodworks students in all four years of their programme, ensuring capacity building and upskilling of both the teaching space and learners.

The official handover of the Woodwork Skills Centre took place on 5 April 2022, with senior officials from SFF attending the function. “This grant was an incredible opportunity to upgrade the woodwork workshop and to increase the potential of our programme by giving our learners a space to be proud of as well as a space to nurture and grow their skills,” said Tony Austen, Principal of the Learn to Live School of Skills.

For more information on the programmes at SIYP please go to: www.salesianyouth.org or contact Frieda Pehlivan, Communications Manager Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tel: 021 425 1450