The South African Minister of Tourism, Tokozile Xasa, today (November 30) bade farewell to 76 unemployed graduates who are leaving to participate in the United States placement programme.
The Department of Tourism, in partnership with Awesome Travel and Nedbank, formulated the US placement programme to provide workplace experience in the culinary arts for unemployed graduates between the ages of 19 and 29. The programme plans to place 1 400 students in the next three years – 480 per year.
“We plan to contribute to a skilled and capable tourism workforce offering service excellence to tourists with this programme by offering young graduates an opportunity to explore and seek work experience within the hospitality sector,” said Minister Xasa.
The graduates will participate in a 12-month placement programme and will be placed at various hospitality establishments across the US. They will receive practical experience in advanced cookery, restaurant management and hotel management.
“We want the learners to go and sell South Africa to the Americans, and the world. Upon return, we plan to ensure that they participate in South Africa’s enterprise development programmes to ensure their continued success,” said the Minister.
