Kenya: Tourism industry responds to skills gap with dual training

• Editor: Jan Gruber

Beyond direct guest service in the hotel industry—at reception desks or in restaurants—the proper functioning of the infrastructure is essential to the industry's success. Hotel maintenance departments require specialized personnel capable of fixing leaks, repairing plumbing, and maintaining electrical systems.

Around Skills gap To close this gap and at the same time open up prospects for young, disadvantaged people, the Tui Academy, in cooperation with the Severin Craftsman Training Center in Mombasa, has launched a three-year training program. The program, aimed at 90 young adults, offers training in sought-after trades such as plumbing, electrician, bricklayer, and metalworker, and is based on the practical German model. The initiative responds to a high level of Youth unemployment in the coastal communities of Kenya and aims to strengthen the local economy by creating a skilled workforce.

Targeted qualification for hotel operations

The Tui Academy in Kenya, one of twelve worldwide academies of the Tui Care Foundation, focuses on practical and theoretical training of craftsmen whose skills are directly needed in the tourism and hospitality industry. The training is explicitly oriented towards dual system based on the German model, where the focus is on combining theory and practical application. The trainees are not only taught at the Severin Craftsman Training Center, but also gain professional experience directly in the maintenance departments of the hotels. company-related practice is crucial to understanding the diverse and specific requirements of everyday hotel operations – from quickly fixing a sink leak to complex electrical maintenance.

Managing Director Severin Schulte emphasizes that the program "Next generation of young technical professionals on the Kenyan coast" which is a direct response to the increasing demand for qualified workers For the young people from the Mombasa region, who often cannot afford technical training after completing secondary school and are therefore at increased risk of Unemployment This free three-year program is an important starting point for those who are exposed to financial hardship. In addition to being exempt from course fees, trainees receive salary and free meals, which makes participation possible for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Dual structure and German quality standards

A key feature of the training concept in Mombasa is the reliance on German quality standardsAfter successfully passing the examinations of the National Industrial Training Authority, the graduates receive not only Kenyan certificates, but also the AHK certificate (class C) of the German Chamber of Commerce Abroad (AHK). The AHK plays an important role globally as a platform and service provider for dual vocational training abroad. It advises companies, ensures the quality of training, and confirms the suitability of in-company trainers. The award of the AHK certificate signals the alignment of the training with proven standards in Germany and increases international recognition the qualifications acquired.

The partnership between the Tui Care Foundation and the AHK uses the experience of the German system to create a structure in target countries such as Kenya that local labor market needs The AHK sees itself as a consultant and quality assurance service provider whose goal is to support the securing of skilled workers for companies abroad and to establish the dual model as an effective path to professional qualification. This cooperation not only promotes Employability of young people in Kenya, but also strengthens the connection between German economic actors and the East African market.

Women in technical professions: A focus on inclusion

The program focuses particularly on Mobilization of women for technical professions. Traditionally, jobs such as electricians, plumbers, bricklayers, and metal workers are predominantly held by men in Kenya, as in many other countries. The targeted promotion of young women in these so-called "Men's professions" is an important contribution to equality and overcoming social stereotypes. Reports from Kenya show that women in technical and scientific fields often face prejudice and discouragement, even from their own families.

Initiatives to empower women in technical professions in Kenya show that the Access to training in combination with personal empowerment and coaching can lead to financial independence. Young women who complete training in male-dominated trades see themselves in a position to earn a regular income and improve empowerment about their lives. Through its focus on female participants, the Tui Academy contributes to increasing Equal opportunities and utilizes the often untapped potential of young women for the local labor market.

Support beyond training

The training program in Mombasa goes beyond the mere teaching of technical skills. The young trainees also receive a comprehensive Life skills coachingThis complementary offering, which is also established at other Tui Academy locations worldwide, includes important areas such as Financial and tax training, entrepreneurial education and Personal adviceIf necessary, such as for single mothers, additional support services such as day care are organized.

These additional building blocks are crucial to prepare young people not only for the job market, but also for self-determined career – up to and including possible independence. With its global programs, the Tui Care Foundation aims to provide young people from disadvantaged backgrounds with a path to better future by providing them with the necessary skills and tools to enter working life. Qualification in sought-after professions thus contributes to Development of the local economy and improves the long-term living conditions of Kenya's coastal communities. The program thus creates a direct bridge between the demands of the flourishing tourism sector and the urgent need for career prospects for the youth of the region.