12 Jun 2018

In its effort to reduce unemployment among the youth, the Ministry of Youth Empowerment Sport and Culture Development (MYSC) in  Chobe district has embarked on a training  project that will see unemployed youths being empowered in the field of tourism and hospitality management and other life skills.

In an interview recently, MYSC principal programme officer, Mr Omphitlhetse Tshukudu said after completion trainees would  be sent for attachment at the local lodges and hotels.

Mr Tshukudu said through the programme, the ministry's  hope was for the trainee to secure jobs at the lodges or hotels in the area. However, Mr Tshukudu emphasised that the programme  was not a countrywide but only for

Chobe after a research conducted by LEA indicated that the tourism, manufacturing and agriculture sectors could do well in the district.

He said the tourism sector could create jobs for the youth as it had a broader market that included accommodation, travelling agencies, boat cruises, game drives among others. Mr Tshukudu said the programme had shown positive results saying between April and May local lodges had to absorb 34 attachees.

"We do not only train them on tourism and hospitality management but also on life skills like customer care, leadership skills which will help them after they complete training," he said.

The youth  have also welcomed the programme because it would give them an opportunity to equip and enhance themselves with the necessary skills needed for one to land a job in the tourism sector.

One of  the trainee Ms Monty Mothoimang said she was thankful for the opportunity because the platform would give her a chance to show her knowledge and skill wherever she would be attached.

She said rather than idling in the streets or staying home she opted to grab the chance with both hands. ENDS