Tourism Fund urges continuous skills development to boost Kenya’s tourism sector

The Tourism Fund has called for continuous skills development and professional training in Kenya's tourism and hospitality industry. This is to bolster the sector's competitiveness, resilience, and professionalism amidst evolving customer expectations, rapid technological advancements, and increasing competition. Samson Some, the Board of Trustees Chairperson of the Tourism Fund, emphasized the importance of a skilled and adaptable workforce during a graduation ceremony at Kaiboi National Polytechnic in Nandi County.

The Fund has been implementing a two-week upskilling program in collaboration with Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions nationwide. This program targets workers and professionals in the tourism and hospitality industry, providing Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and a two-day course for directors and managers focusing on leadership, management, and organizational performance.

Over 9,000 beneficiaries have been supported by the program, including 6,539 workers, 1,808 managers, and 1,041 youth trained in content creation. The Tourism Fund also supports the Tourism Training Revolving Fund, which provides training opportunities for Kenyan students and professionals in the tourism and hospitality sector. The revolving fund has disbursed over Sh330 million in loans to 5,800 students.

Some urged tourism and hospitality workers to take advantage of these training and professional development opportunities, emphasizing that continuous learning would significantly strengthen the sector's workforce. The graduation ceremony at Kaiboi National Polytechnic and Michuki National Polytechnic in Murang'a County celebrated the achievements of 489 beneficiaries, with 237 receiving certificates at Kaiboi and 252 at Michuki.