Certified Apprenticeship Programme in Hotel Operations launched in Zanzibar.

The Ministry of Labour, Employment, Elders, Youth, Women and Children (MLEEYWC), Zanzibar, in collaboration with the ILO and social partners launched on 17 August the Certified Apprenticeship Programme in Hotel Operations for Zanzibar. The event which was officiated by the Minister, MLEEYWC, Hon. Maudline Cyrus Castico, was aimed at promoting the programme and raising awareness to more partners to support similar training programmes for the Zanzibar youth. The programme is targeted at strengthening skills development system to promote access to quality training and employability for young women and men in the Isles.

Delivering her launch speech, the Hon. Minister emphasized on the need for strengthening employers and workers relations at the workplace in the public as well as the private sector, so as to promote partnership, information sharing, improved transparency thus enhancing productivity.

“…knowledgeable employees with appropriate skills and experience are key for improved productivity and efficiency at the workplace...this is the basis for improved industrial relations, market research, efficiency and trade…” she said.

She also noted that local as well as foreign companies are keen and continue to invest in the hotel and tourism sectors in Zanzibar, in which the private sector has also been contributing for more than 37 years to date. A need therefore to ensure availability of skilled and experienced labour force in this sector as per requirements of the labour market. She further cautioned that youth unemployment and lesser productivity has been one of the key challenges facing the country’s economy. Further, employers especially in the hotel and tourism sector complain of unqualified employees recruited to join the sector which greatly impedes the delivery levels.

“ …The apprenticeship programme, which has just started, is one of the solutions to curb this problem…it’s an anchor geared at building a strong link between training and the labour market in the country… we are proud that already we have about 60 apprentices participating in the programme” she noted.

Hon. Castico confirmed on her Government’s commitment to administer the programme effectively so as to achieve the intended goals and urged employers and investors to keep on their strong zeal to support the programme for the betterment of the Zanzibari young men and women as well as the entire country.

The representative of the Norwegian Embassy in Tanzania, Mr Noel Magoti commended the Government for executing the programme jointly with the ILO and ensuring it’s alignment with the relevant Government policies.

“ … This is one among several development projects we are supporting in Zanzibar…others include in water supply, infrastructure development, oil and gas production, health, finance etc…we are committed to strengthen this partnership for greater development impact in the country…” he said.

On her part, the Director ILO CO Dar es Salaam, Dr. Mary Kawar commended the Government of Zanzibar for its commitment in implementing the quality apprenticeship programme and the hotels which have already accepted to support the youth to train in this programme. She further called for more hotels to join in so as to narrow the existing gap between skills development and the labour market demands.

The ILO through partnership with the government of Norway is supporting the above programme to enhance employability of youth in Tanzania. Quality apprenticeship programmes offer proven training methods that provide opportunity to combine training and work thereby promoting employability and skills relevance. Such arrangements provide apprentices an opportunity to acquire skills through learning by doing under guidance of experienced supervisors.