The Employability Programme in the Hospitality Sector project is a two-year project that aims to provide intensive training and job opportunities to individuals from disadvantaged communities in Greater Cairo and Hurghada. The project provides 300 job opportunities in four main sectors: kitchen, housekeeping, food and beverage, (F&B) sector, and stewardship. The project is implemented by Etijah, in partnership with the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance.
At the beginning of the project, we had the privilege to meet the industry partners to set out ambitious targets and key milestones for the project, along with Touristic Investment Company (Crave Restaurants, Crave Catering & Qahwa) as well as, hotel partners Marriott International, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Radisson Hotel Group, Jaz Hotel Group, as well as local #hotel and F&B brands
The project addresses the existing skills gap between the market needs of the hospitality industry and the skills of individuals from disadvantaged areas. The project provides participants with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the hospitality industry, as well as the opportunity to gain practical experience through internships in partner hotels and restaurants.
Youth and women enrolled in the project participate in the program’s 3 phases:
Soft skills training: Participants receive a comprehensive training for one month in a variety of soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving etc.
Practical training placements: Participants receive practical training for 2 months within a hotel or an F&B partner as a form of On Job Training to enhance and develop their skills in the field.
Job placement: Participants are assisted with finding job placements in partner hotels and restaurants.
Each round of the project lasts for three months and includes 25 to 30 participants. The project is currently in its second round.
The first phase of the project began in September 2023, with more than 30 young women and men. These young people were trained on the needed skills needed to work in the hospitality and hotel sector, and they were provided with practical training opportunities in hotels and tourist restaurants. The second phase of the project will continue until 2024, and it is expected that more than 300 young men and women will benefit from it.
The Employability in the Hospitality Sector project is a valuable initiative that is helping to create a more inclusive and diverse hospitality industry. By providing individuals from disadvantaged areas with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed, the project is helping to create a more sustainable and equitable future for the industry.
The programme is supported by the Invest for Jobs – Special Initiative “Decent Work for a Just Transition” Initiative “Decent Work for a Just Transition” of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, among others.
