The Minister of Tourism Tokozile Xasa today bid farewell to 76 unemployed graduates who will be participating in the United States of America (USA) placement programme.
The Department of Tourism, in partnership with Awesome Travel and Nedbank formulated the USA 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 1400 learners in the next coming
three years, with 480 learners 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 with an opportunity to explore and seek work experience within the hospitality sector”, said Minister Xasa.
The graduates will participate in a 12 months placement programme and will be placed at various hospitality establishments across the USA. They will receive practical experience in advanced cookery, restaurant management, hotel management, etc.
“We want the learners to go and sell South Africa to the Americans, and the world. Upon return, we plan to track you because we want you to participate in the enterprise development programmes in order for you to develop further”, concluded the Minister.
Enquiries:
Mr Thamsanqa Mthembu
Media liaison officer to the Minister
Department of Tourism
Cell: +27 (0) 64 890 5592