The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation and the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Fitness have signed a memorandum of understanding to expand training and work experience opportunities for Maldivian youth in the tourism sector.
The National Apprenticeship Programme aims to provide young people with practical training in the country’s largest industry, paving the way for a successful future. The agreement will remain in effect for five years.
At a ceremony held at the Youth Empowerment Ministry, the agreement was signed on behalf of the tourism ministry by the Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Mohamed Ameen, while Minister of Youth Empowerment Abdullah Rafiu signed on behalf of the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Fitness.
The National Apprenticeship Programme is an important opportunity for young people seeking to enter the tourism industry. Participants in the programme will receive training at resorts, hotels and guesthouses across different parts of the Maldives. Under the guidance of experienced professionals in the sector, they will learn practical skills and have the opportunity to develop the abilities required in the workplace.
The Tourism Ministry said participants would also receive a financial allowance during the training period. It added that those who successfully complete the programme would be awarded an officially recognised certificate documenting the skills and experience they have gained. This is expected to provide a strong foundation for building sustainable careers in the tourism sector.
One of the key objectives of the initiative is to increase the participation of Maldivian women in the tourism industry. In this regard, the two ministries will work together and consult industry stakeholders, while undertaking specific efforts to encourage young women to take an interest in the sector and make use of apprenticeship opportunities.
Tourism Minister Ameen said the tourism industry is a sector in which every Maldivian has a stake. He said the agreement would provide young people, particularly young women, with valuable opportunities to gain practical experience in the workplace and receive training that can lead to employment and income-generating opportunities.
The Tourism Ministry said increasing Maldivian participation in the tourism sector is a major priority for the Government. As tourism is a key pillar of the Maldivian economy, the Government is working to ensure that Maldivian youth have a meaningful share in the sector’s development and benefits. The programme is also expected to help develop the skilled Maldivian workforce needed to support the continued growth of the industry.
While the tourism ministry will work to provide training opportunities and increase Maldivian participation in the sector through the programme, the youth ministry will be responsible for promoting the programme among young people, reviewing applications, and carrying out the training and certification processes.