The Franschhoek Hospitality Academy & Learning Centre (FHA) is delighted to close the year with uplifting news: a formal partnership agreement has been signed with the Prince Albert Community Trust (PACT) to establish the Prince Albert Community Trust Hospitality Academy (PACTHA). This new campus, based in Prince Albert, will operate on the same education principles and programme as FHA.
The collaboration marks a significant step in expanding access to high-quality hospitality education across South Africa, while deepening impact in rural communities.
A Proven Model of Impact
Since its founding, FHA has graduated 587 students, supported more than 3,500 indirect beneficiaries, and achieved a 96% employment rate among graduates, both locally and internationally. These milestones reflect FHA’s long-standing commitment to breaking cycles of poverty, strengthening the hospitality sector, and creating real pathways to opportunity for disadvantaged youth.
Skills Development Aligned With Local Needs
The Franschhoek Hospitality Academy & Learning Centre runs a hospitality skills development programme that supports the Stellenbosch Municipality’s goals by training historically disadvantaged and unemployed youth, as well as adult community members. The academy offers practical courses, evening classes, and short programmes designed to improve employability in the local and broader tourism industry.
Through the new partnership, FHA will share its full curriculum, provide academic guidance, support quality assurance, and assist with student adjudication. PACTHA will lead local programme delivery, ensuring that young people in Prince Albert can access the same standard of training that has shaped success stories in Franschhoek.
Community-Led Partnership
“PACT and the community of Prince Albert believe that partnering with best practice is the way forward to empower our local students with skills and opportunity that will be life changing. Taking hands with FHA speaks to this vision of tangible transformation. We are excited,” says Ingrid Wolfaardt, Founder.
Pilot Intake Planned for 2026
The pilot intake for the Prince Albert Community Trust Hospitality Academy is scheduled for February 2026 and will welcome a small, carefully selected group of students. This marks the beginning of a shared long-term vision to grow hospitality skills, strengthen local tourism economies, and widen access to education in underserved communities across the Karoo and beyond.
About the Prince Albert Community Trust
The Prince Albert Community Trust (PACT) is a community-based non-profit organisation working in Prince Albert and the wider Karoo region, including Leeu-Gamka and Klaarstroom. PACT focuses on breaking cycles of inequality by investing in children and young people through education, health and wellbeing, and youth and skills development programmes.
Flagship initiatives such as the Hope Warriors youth leadership network, the Journey to Jazz festival, and the ONS social enterprise—which includes a training kitchen, eatery, events space and botanical products—combine real-life work experience with accredited learning and mentoring. These initiatives help young people build confidence, skills, and pathways into employment.
Building Hospitality Excellence, One Region at a Time
FHA is proud to partner with an organisation that shares its commitment to education opportunity and community upliftment. Together, FHA and PACTHA are building a broader footprint of hospitality excellence, empowering South Africa’s youth one region at a time.
