The Maldives’ Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation and the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Fitness have signed a memorandum of understanding to expand training and work-experience opportunities for young Maldivians in the tourism sector, according to PSM News, the country’s public service media. The agreement, which will remain in effect for five years, underpins the National Apprenticeship Programme.
What the Programme Offers
PSM News reported that participants will train at resorts, hotels and guesthouses in different parts of the Maldives, guided by experienced professionals in the sector, and will have the opportunity to develop practical workplace skills. The Tourism Ministry said participants will receive a financial allowance during the training period, and that those who complete the programme successfully will be awarded an officially recognised certificate documenting their skills and experience.
According to the report, one of the key objectives is to increase the participation of Maldivian women in tourism. The two ministries will work together and consult industry stakeholders, with specific efforts to encourage young women to take an interest in the sector and use the apprenticeship opportunities.
Who Does What
The memorandum was signed at a ceremony at the Youth Empowerment Ministry by Tourism Minister Mohamed Ameen and Youth Empowerment Minister Abdullah Rafiu, PSM News said. Under the agreement, the tourism ministry will work to provide training opportunities and increase Maldivian participation in the sector, while the youth ministry will be responsible for promoting the programme among young people, reviewing applications and carrying out the training and certification processes.
Minister Ameen said tourism is a sector in which every Maldivian has a stake, and that the agreement would give young people, particularly young women, practical workplace experience and training that can lead to employment and income, according to the report. The Tourism Ministry said increasing Maldivian participation in the sector is a major government priority, and that the programme is also expected to help develop the skilled workforce needed to support the industry’s continued growth.
Why It Matters
Tourism is described by the ministry as a key pillar of the Maldivian economy, so who gets trained, and where, shapes who benefits from it. A five-year framework with allowances and recognised certificates offers a structured route into the sector; its effect will depend on how many young people, and how many young women, take part and move into lasting work.
Leave a Reply