Challenge

Tourism is one of Jordan’s main industries and holds much potential for growth. As the number of visitors to the country increases, the sector is expanding to accommodate this growth and with it comes a need for skilled tourism labor. Despite the opportunity that it holds, a local culture of shame discourages work in the tourism sector, particularly for women, and this has been a significant challenge to the sector. To address this challenge among youth, the USAID/Jordan Tourism Development Project worked in partnership with the Ministry of Labor to modernize the Vocational Training Corporation (VTC) Hotel and Tourism Centers and develop a program that would attract students to the sector and help them develop the skills needed to work in hospitality

Initiative

A National Program Curriculum was developed, the Certificate in Hospitality Skills Level 1, by specialized and experienced members from 35 hotels, restaurants and companies from all over the Kingdom. The new program was implemented at ten hotel and tourism centers across Jordan and aims to train students to apply specified knowledge and skills in food production, food and beverage service, housekeeping and associated hospitality and communication skills for the Jordan tourism sector. The year-long program entails six months training at the VTC centers and another six months of practical training in industry. USAID also worked with the Ministry of Labor to set up a partnership with the hotel and restaurant industries to gain their support in implementing the practical training aspect of the VTC hotel and tourism program.

Results

The new vocational training in tourism and hospitality program has generated increased interest among Jordanian youth in hospitality training and has doubled the number of enrolments in the first year. The number of young women studying tourism and hospitality at the ten centers has also multiplied significantly. The total intake by April 2008 reached 1,150 students, 372 of whom were women.

The industry was enthusiastically responsive to the new internship program and all VTC students are being offered 6-month training positions at four and five-star hotels and leading restaurants around the country. Currently 420 students are doing their internship at partner hotels and restaurants in Petra, Madaba, Aqaba, Dead Sea, Salt and Amman and tens of students have completed the yearlong program and have been offered full-time jobs following on from their internships.