Free training to be conducted to produce skilled manpower for tourism sector

KATHMANDU, August 22: Hotel Association Nepal and Hotel Association Pokhara Nepal will conduct free training for 24 months to produce skilled manpower for the hotel sector.

After not getting the required skilled manpower even from various colleges and some training institutes, it has been decided to conduct such training after two months with the support of the Enhanced Skill for Sustainable and Rewarding Employment (ENSSUR) operated under Helvetas Nepal.

Youbraj Shrestha, Treasurer of HAN, expressed his belief that the Dual VET Apprenticeship model developed by ENSSUR for the production of skilled workers required for the hotel sector will be effective.

Keshav Bhandari, Quality Assurance Specialist of ENSSUR, gave his presentation in the organized program and informed that the apprenticeship model training will be conducted for a total of 24 months theoretically and practically. He informed that most of the time the trainees will be busy in the field of work to get practical knowledge.

Lunch expenses and 25 percent of the total minimum wage will also be available for the participating trainees. 

Bharatraj Parajuli, a central member of the Hotel Association of Nepal, demanded that the tourism sector should get the same recognition and facilities as the industry. He also suggested that initiatives should be taken to introduce international chain hotels in Nepal. Speaking at the event, President of Hotel Association Nepal Gandaki, Hari Prasad Sharma Gaihre said that a lot of manpower is required for tourism in Nepal, but it is not available. He said that such training will be useful for producing such manpower and developing the additional capacity of the manpower working in hotel establishments.

Suryawahadur Bhujel, acting president of the Federation of Nepal Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Gandaki, said that the tourism sector has a significant contribution to the total domestic production and said that a large number of skilled manpower is required for the tourism sector. But he said that the current tourist establishments have become like training centers and the problem arises due to the practice of laborers learning to work in hotel restaurants and going abroad. He also suggested that the study of tourism should be started at the school level.

Laxman Subedi, president of Hotel Association Pokhara, shared that around 15,000 skilled manpower is required for 1,000 hotels in and around Pokhara, but now not even 5,000 are available. He also said that the training to be started by the hotel association will be useful for producing skilled workers.