The Department of Tourism has made strides in youth skills development, with over 1 900 young people benefiting from various programmes in 2023.
This is according to Deputy Minister of Tourism, Maggie Sotyu, who spoke at the National Tourism Careers Expo (NTCE), currently underway in Limpopo.
The department noted several achievements, including the training of 276 small, medium, and micro-enterprises (SMMEs) in tourism on occupational health and safety norms and standards. 50 chefs participated in a recognition of prior learning programme, enabling them to obtain professional qualifications. The deployment of tourism monitors through Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) funding was another notable accomplishment aimed at boosting tourism infrastructure and safety, Sotyu said.
In the current financial year, the department plans to spend R12 million (€621 000) in training 450 unemployed youth and another R140 million (€7.25 million) in reaching the target of deploying 2 300 trained tourism monitors to tourism hotspots around the country.
“These initiatives demonstrate the sector’s commitment to skills development. It is essential that we continue working with our partners to identify the critical, demand-driven skills required to advance tourism,” Sotyu said.
Sotyu stressed the importance of an inclusive approach for tourism to flourish. “Tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors – not only nationally but globally – and it continues to adapt to new trends positioning it as a core economic driver. To optimally capitalise on this, we need an inclusive and transformative approach to ensure all, particularly youth, women and persons with disabilities, enjoy the benefits.”
The sector needs an innovative and passionate new generation of entrepreneurs. “The country needs young people to grow their skills base and, more importantly, become entrepreneurs who innovate new approaches, adopt and set new trends. The sector needs young people who are committed to its growth and potential to create jobs and grow our economy. Passion is key to career growth in this sector – whether it is about culture or nature, history or travel and working with people, passion will help your career to flourish.”
The NTCE, a three-day event attracting thousands of learners, educators, and unemployed tourism graduates from across the country, provides a vital platform for young people to explore opportunities in tourism. This year’s expo is a collaborative effort involving several government bodies, including the Department of Tourism, the Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sports Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA), and the Limpopo Tourism Agency, among others.
