In collaboration with the USAID Developing Sustainable Tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina project (Turizam), the Adult Educa-tion Institution Nova zanimanja (“New Occupations”) successfully conducted a training aimed at developing the skills of recep-tionists, waiters, and cooks. The three-day training courses were organized as part of the USAID Turizam-funded project “Education – Basis for Employ-ment in a Strong Tourism Sector,” with a total of 133 successful participants. The project was intended for professionals already working in the hospitality sector, unemployed individuals, and interested students.
More than 80 people attended the graduation ceremony at which Nova Zanimanja signed 11 cooperation agreements with Saraje-vo’s leading hospitality and tourism businesses, including hotels Europe, Holiday, Hills, Hollywood, Koncept Resident, Hecco, and B Planet Group. As part of this ceremony, project partners had the opportunity to meet candidates for open positions who were assisted by the Nova zanimanja in preparing their CVs, thus making it easier for interested candidates to requalify or improve and advance in the profession. . As a result, more than 30 persons received offers for employ-ment at the partner businesses.
According to an analysis conducted by USAID Turizam, Bosnia and Herzegovina will face a labor shortage of 8,100 tourism workers by 2027, highlighting the critical need for a labor shortage solution. Solving the workforce deficit problem in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s tourism sector is an intricate problem that requires a multifaceted approach including investing in education and training to improve workforce skills and supporting the growth of the travel and tourism sector. Businesses and organizations may foster economic growth and ensure a skilled workforce for future generations by investing in education and training.
The successful implementation of this project “Education – Basis for Employment in a Strong Tourism Sector” sets the standard for empowering individuals and initiating economic growth in the hospitality and tourism sectors.
“We celebrate the success of each of them individually, because they have taken a step in the right direction and on the path of lifelong learning. These enthusiastic people, who are willing to acquire new knowledge and adopt new skills, are a guarantee of a bright future for tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
Karl Wurster, Director of the USAID/BiH Economic Development Office
