She gave a keynote address at the Careers Expo at Hilton Hotel in Sandton, yesterday.
The National Tourism Careers Expo (NTCE), is an annual exposition to showcase and promote tourism careers and professional opportunities that exist, promoting the industry as an employer of choice and exposing young people to existing business opportunities in the sector.
Says Xasa: “This year marks the 39th anniversary of the Soweto uprisings, and in honour of this, the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has developed a national programme under the theme of “Youth Action for Economic Freedom in Our Lifetime”.
And what better way than to celebrate it than with this amazing initiative? What a better way to remember than to move forward? For what is memory without movement? asked deputy Minister.
She also commended the Hilton Hotel World Wide Group, for recognising that investment in training is not an expense but an investment.
The success story of Luvo Ntezo began when he started as a porter 15 years ago. He then moved on to become glass washer. After a series of studies at the Cape Wine Academy and studies in viticulture, he became head sommelier.
In 2008, he was awarded the best sommelier in Africa. Subsequent to that, was awarded 4th best in the world. This talks directly to our commitment to the future sustainability of the tourism industry by supporting young people who have chosen a career in tourism, says Xasa.
In 2014, the Department of Tourism in partnership with Umalusi, Department of Basic Education (DBE) and the Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality, Sports, Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA) launched a Curriculum Evaluation Report. The report covers Tourism, Hospitality and Consumer Studies curriculum at grade 10 to 12.
The following programmes are available:
NATIONAL TOURISM CAREERS EXPO (NTCE)
THE EDUCATOR EXPOSURE PROGRAMME
THE FOOD SAFETY ASSURERS PROGRAMME
CHEFS TRAINING
TOURISM AMBASSADOR / BUDDIES PROGRAMME
SOMMELIERS (WINE SERVICING)
This year Free State Province will host the expo in October from 1 to 3 for the next three-years’, targeting young people from grade 9 to 12 at High School, TVET Colleges, university students and unemployed graduates.
The deputy Minister did not indicate how much value does youth’s contribute into the GDP of the country.
