The Tourism Fund of Kenya has emphasized the need for sustained skills development and professional training to enhance the competitiveness, resilience, and professionalism of the country's tourism and hospitality sector. This call comes as the industry faces shifting customer expectations, rapid technological change, and heightened competition. According to the Fund's Board of Trustees Chairperson, investment in human capital is essential for the sector's growth.
The Tourism Fund has been actively involved in providing training opportunities to workers and professionals in the tourism industry. Its two-week upskilling programme, run in collaboration with Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions nationwide, targets individuals who have not previously accessed formal training. The programme includes components such as Recognition of Prior Learning, a two-day leadership course for managers, and digital content-creation training for youth.
To date, the programme has supported over 9,000 beneficiaries, comprising 6,539 workers, 1,808 managers, and 1,041 youth trained in content creation. Recently, certificates were awarded to 489 participants at graduation ceremonies held at Kaiboi National Polytechnic in Nandi County and Michuki National Polytechnic in Murang'a County. This brings the total number of training centres involved in the programme to 34.
The Tourism Training Revolving Fund has also played a crucial role in supporting students pursuing tourism and hospitality studies. Since its inception, the Fund has disbursed over Sh330 million in loans to 5,800 students. The Tourism Fund's Board of Trustees Chairperson, Samson Some, urged industry workers to take advantage of the training opportunities, noting that continuous learning will help build a more competent and value-adding workforce.
The graduation ceremony at Kaiboi National Polytechnic was attended by Nandi County officials, State Department for TVET representatives, tourism stakeholders, and polytechnic management. This gathering underscored the collaborative efforts between training institutions and industry stakeholders to enhance the skills and competencies of the tourism workforce. The event highlighted the importance of partnerships in driving growth and development in the sector.
Samson Some emphasized that the workforce needs to be technically competent, innovative, adaptable, and committed to delivering excellence. He noted that the programme's focus on leadership and digital content creation is critical in addressing the evolving needs of the tourism industry. By investing in human capital, the sector can improve its competitiveness and resilience in the face of global challenges.
The Tourism Fund's efforts to strengthen Kenya's hospitality sector are ongoing, with a focus on supporting the growth of a more skilled and competent workforce. Key initiatives include the upskilling programme and the Tourism Training Revolving Fund, which have supported thousands of beneficiaries to date. The Fund's commitment to continuous training and development is expected to have a positive impact on the sector's growth and competitiveness.
Key points
- The Tourism Fund has supported over 9,000 beneficiaries through its upskilling programme.
- The Tourism Training Revolving Fund has disbursed over Sh330 million in loans to 5,800 students.
- The programme targets workers and professionals who have not previously accessed formal training.
