Record attendance levels at this year's NTCE

The National Tourism Careers Expo (NTCE) experienced record attendance during the three days with over 18 000 visitors attending the interactive exhibition designed to showcase the exciting career opportunities available in tourism.

The NTCE, which  ran from 23-25 September , is supported by National Department of Tourism,Department of Economic Development and Tourism KwaZulu-Natal and CATHSSETA (Culture, Art, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Education and Training Authority), previously known as THETA. With this year’s theme being “Make it Happen” the expo is now in its third year and aims to drive South Africa’s National Tourism Sector Strategy’s goal of creating 225 000 tourism jobs by 2020, and ensuring there are sufficient numbers of skilled people to fill these positions.

During her speech at the opening ceremony of the expo, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, TokozileXasa, said “Tourism has the potential to contribute in a major way to economic growth. But unemployment and poverty remain two of the main challenges affecting South Africans and to achieve this we need accurate and precise skills planning and initiatives like the NTCE.”

The Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Hlengiwe Mkhize, echoed Deputy Minister Xasa’s sentiments during the gala evening adding that it was important for theeducation and training system to respond to the National Skills Development Strategy III and the National Tourism Sector Strategy.  Deputy Minister Mkhize, also highlighted that we must encourage dialogue about skills development and training between employers, labour, training providers and other stakeholders, mediated within each sector by the SETAs.

During the expopopular highlights included Chef CitrumKhumalo’s cooking demonstrations with learners being wowed bythe Chef and his team of enthusiastic protégés as they shared advice and tips on cooking and how to get ahead in the catering industry. Equally popular amongst the learners was the mixology zone where learners got to grips with the art of mixing non-alcoholic drinks under the guidance of a professional cocktail maker.

Speakers Corner, where tourism entrepreneurs and industry experts shared their success stories, was also a hit amongst learners as they interacted directly with the speakers, asking questions and participating in some of the demonstrations. A virtual classroom set up enabled learners to pick up useful information about searching for a job.

Fifty private sector companiesexhibited at the expo providing interactive, edutainment experiences for the learners. “The NTCE also provided an opportunity for companies to spot enthusiastic, passionate youthswho meet their internship or learnership requirements,” said Deputy MinisterXasa. The private sector further showed their commitment to skills development by offering a number of bursaries, learnerships and internships to learnersattending the expo.

“Private-public partnerships in skills development will surely contribute to the distribution of wealth and ownership in the sector as more citizens will acquire practical knowledge in the private companies. Major companies are encouraged to start joint ventures with communities who would like to enter the tourism and related markets,” said Deputy Minister Mkhize.

Comments on the NTCE’s Facebook site confirm the expo’s success with learner, LondiweNqayi, saying “It was so much fun, eye opening and I got a lot of information that is going to kick start my career in tourism.”  Educator, Zama Mkhwanazi,commented, “It was well planned and also gave us a chance to do some sightseeing. We thank you and all the sponsors for coming together for a good cause.Change starts with you and to give a child a reason to dream and believe in their dreams means a lot. NTCE will always have a footprint and an impact in my heart.”

Over 400 educators attended tourism focussed educator workshops with three sessions being held each day of the expo. Topics like responsible tourism, entrepreneurship and service culture in tourism were covered by expert speakers from the industry.
Over 130 volunteers were recruited and trained to assist with the organisation and event management of the expo.

“We want people in tourism to be proud of being in the sector, and events like the NTCE are a wonderful showcase of the wide possibilities available to learners. As the partners of the expo, we are merely here to provide a platform of interaction and knowledge. We are thrilled to have been part of this extremely successfulevent and hope that each and every learners, unemployed youth and educator who attended has seized the opportunity to make it happen,” says the Deputy Minister of Tourism, TokozileXasa.
 

The NTCE moves location every three years and provinces interested in hosting the next expo will be asked to bid.