THRIVE ISSUE 5 DECEMBER 2024 13 Outlining her thoughts on the role of higher education institutions stressed the importance of ensuring alignment between the curriculum and the future growth and skills needs of the sector. “We need to identify the in-demand skills in terms of what will be needed in the next 5, 10 and 20 years and make sure that the universities are producing graduates with these skills for the future growth of tourism. We already have so many graduates sitting at home, not able to find work, after years of studying so we cannot have a static curriculum”. She expanded on the point around employability, stating that the Higher Education institutions must provide training that will address the demand of the industry and not vice versa. “Meaning do not create a supply of graduates for which there is no demand. By driving demand-led skills training, it will address the focus of demand versus supply in the industry” Amongst other critical areas the Minister emphasized are the following: • Incorporating innovation and digital technology in the programme offering • Reskilling and upskilling the existing workforce • Promoting multi-stakeholder engagement with communities to ensure that communities benefit from tourism and to build an inclusive sector • The curriculum should focus on programs that will help diversify the tourism offering e.g. the development of tourism offerings in townships, villages and small dorpies. “This is an exciting sector filled with possibilities and untapped potential. There is no doubt that the leaders who will see South Africa reach its full tourism potential are in these rooms and in our classrooms all over the country” The key thing we need to avoid is a mismatch of skills where young people graduate, and their degree becomes obsolete. Prof. Diane Abrahams, STH Director. Patricia De Lille, MP, Minister of Tourism South Africa & Prof Letlhlokwa Mpedi, Vice-Chancellor, University of Johannesburg
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