The Deputy Minister of Tourism Elizabeth Thabethe officially opened the 2017 leg of the National Tourism Career Expo (NTCE) in the Free State, at the Sand Du Plessis Theater, in Bloemfontein today.

Hosted annually, for three year cycle in each province, the NTCE is a programme championed by a partnership between the National Department of Tourism (NDT), Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality, Sports, Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA) and Free State Department of Economic Small Business Development, Tourism and Environment Affairs (DESTEA). The partnership has been supported by the Free State Provincial Department of Education and Free State Gambling Liquor & Tourism Authority as Fund Manager.

“The NTCE 2017 is going to assume its true character of being a melting pot where all tourism education and training stakeholders and industry representatives meet, engage and interact on issues of demand and supply of skills in the sector. 

“It is expected to live up to its slogan that says NTCE is not just a paper grabbing platform, but an interactive exercise. It is not like any other careers expo, as it brings all elements of Tourism Human Resources Development on board, and is the biggest education and training event in tourism”, said Deputy Minister Thabethe.

The NTCE offers various platforms, where both the learners and educators can participate. These include an exhibition of tourism products from the industry, academia as well as funding institutions. Also hosted is the Educator Seminar where educators in the tourism and hospitality sector get equipped with the latest advancements in the sector. 

The Youth Business Zone presents aspiring business men and women with an opportunity to present their business ideas and a winning business idea gets training at the SABS which leads to the fine tuning and nurturing of the idea to a final product and or service ready to hit the market or shelve. The virtual classrooms platforms equips final year students with necessary skills to prepare for the world of work information required for job seeking and entrepreneurial skills.

According to the Head of Department for DESTEA, Gadija Brown, the hosting of NTCE for three years since 2015 has left a legacy and was a great achievement for the Free State Province which made a positive impact on the industry role players and learners.