It has been recognised nationally that there is a need for a broader skills mix that caters to the demand of various sectors.
And as such the Education Ministry has endeavoured to train as many persons as possible, particularly in technical and vocational fields. Three areas have been identified by the ministry to receive focus in 2011. These are entrepreneurship, hospitality skills development, and Information Communication Technology (ICT). The latter has already commenced with the provision of computers, construction of IT labs and training teachers in ICT.
Stakeholders from the education and tourism sectors met Thursday at the Pegasus Hotel for a consultation to discuss the possibilities of upgrading the Carnegie School of Home Economics into a hospitality institute.
Guyana, through the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), has contracted the Director of the Barbados Hospitality Training Institute, Bernice Critchlow-Earle, to conduct a feasibility study for the establishment of a hospitality training institute in Guyana to advance the development of skills for the tourism industry.
Education Minister Shaik Baksh, in his presentation, noted that the hospitality field is important, since the Education Ministry is moving to satisfy the needs of the private sector and labour market.
He indicated that the technical institutes have been asked to review their programmes and to determine new programmes with potential.
Minister Baksh emphasised that in the delivery of education, quality assurance/accreditation is critical, since persons should be able to pursue job opportunities outside of Guyana.
If the Carnegie School of Home Economics is to be up-graded, its programmes will have to be quality assured, in-service training realized, and a link established with the University of Guyana since it offers a tourism programme.
The minister is in receipt of a development plan submitted by Carnegie’s principal. However, before any interventions are made, it is best for the consultation session to be completed, he added. Nevertheless, a new Board was appointed comprising representatives from the private sector, Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), hotels and tour operators.
Permanent Secretary of the Education Ministry, Pulandar Khandai, noted that the upsurge of tourism in Guyana suggests that the advent of a hospitality institute can contribute to national development, hence the need for well-trained persons in the field.
He explained that the consultation will review the current hospitality situation, the feasibility of establishing a hospitality institute, and the development of possible programmes to be introduced.
GTA’s Director, Indranauth Haralsingh, on behalf of Tourism Minister, Manniram Prashad, noted that Guyana has become a more popular destination due to efforts by the Ministry of Tourism, the GTA, the private sector, and other stakeholders, and has been featured on televised programmes such as National Geographic Explorer, the BBC and Animal Planet.
He added that the establishment of a hospitality institute will greatly benefit the sector’s manpower by providing prospective workers and facilitating capacity development for current workers, thereby enhancing the quality in delivery of Guyana’s tourism products.
CDB- Education Specialist, Dr. Idamay Denny, indicated that she was asked to determine the quality and adequacy of current training in Guyana, skill gaps, quality of training facilities and equipment, possible new programmes and to advise on Carnegie’s role.
She pointed out that some of the programmes that can be introduced to strengthen and upgrade the current offerings include culinary arts, hospitality studies, apprentice chef, taxi operation, housekeeping, reception and sale, bar operations and food and beverage service.
The success of this initiative will result in the transformation of the tourism industry into a major contributor to Guyana’s economy, while enhancing the tourism prospects, at all levels. It will also make available more career choices for youths leaving secondary schools.