The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Ms Tokozile Xasa, officially opened this year’s National Tourism Career’s Expo (NTCE) at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in East London. Thousands of learners and unemployed graduates from across the country began arriving at the expo that will be running from the 19th – 21st of September 2013.

The NTCE is a partnership under auspices of the National Department of Tourism (NDT); Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA); the Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT); and the Eastern Cape Parks & Tourism Agency (ECPTA). Aptly themed “Explore your World of Tourism”, this Youth initiative is designed to showcase the exciting career opportunities available in tourism and hospitality to learners, tourism students, unemployed graduates and educators.

 “We want people in tourism to be proud of being in the sector, and events like the NTCE are a wonderful showcase of the wide possibilities available to learners. As the partners of the expo, we are merely here to provide a platform of interaction and knowledge. We are thrilled to have been part of this extremely successful event and hope that each and every learners, unemployed youth and educator who attended has seized the opportunity to make it happen,” said Xasa. Since its inception in 2008 the number of learners attending the NTCE has increased.  More than eight thousand (8000) learners have registered to attend and participate in the NTCE.

More than 47 exhibitors and employers from the Public/Private tourism sector will be participating in the NTCE. Through the NTCE, the National Department of Tourism (NDT) aspires to drive South Africa’s National Tourism Sector Strategy’s goal of creating 225 000 tourism jobs by 2020, and ensuring there are sufficient numbers of skilled people to fill these positions.

NTCE 2013 Highlights

• The Chefs’ corner - involves demonstration of culinary art by young chefs.
• Mixology corner - introduces student to the bartending profession.
• The Virtual Classroom – Assists students to prepare for entering the Job market by offering guidance on how to draft a Curriculum Vitae (CV) and to prepare for job interviews. 
• The Recruitment Corner - Affords learners and unemployed graduates an online platform to access existing and potential future job opportunities in the tourism industry.
• Food and Wine Pairing – demonstrates how food and wine can be paired to enhance the dining experience. An essential skill required for aspiring sommeliers.
• Educator empowerment workshops and seminars
• Learning or in-service training opportunities on a variety of tourism related subjects
  

Enquires:

Office of the Deputy Minister
Singabakho Nxumalo
Media Liaison officer           
Cell: +27 (0) 79 523 5794                       
E-mail: snxumalo@tourism.gov.za    
Website: www.tourism.gov.za
                       
Issued by The National Department of Tourism