Tourexpi
In the eastern part of the Dominican Republic, tourism
is the main economic engine, yet access to employment remains difficult for
many young people. Despite growing training efforts, the hospitality sector
continues to face a shortage of more than 20,000 qualified workers. Limited
access to quality education, a lack of technical skills training – including
English – and insufficient life skills development remain key barriers,
particularly for disadvantaged youth.
New phase of the TUI Academy programme
To address these challenges, the TUI Care Foundation
has launched a new phase of the TUI Academy Dominican Republic in partnership
with Plan International. Building on almost ten years of experience in the
country, the four-year initiative will run until 2029 and reach more than 40
communities across seven districts of La Altagracia province.
Vocational skills, English and life skills
The programme targets 200 unemployed young people from
vulnerable backgrounds, 60 percent of whom are women. Participants receive
vocational training tailored to the hospitality sector, combined with English
language courses. This is complemented by life skills training focusing on
career planning, job readiness and violence prevention. Following the classroom
phase, students complete internships at partner hotels, gaining practical
experience that improves their employability and supports job placement.
Childcare as a pathway to employment
A distinctive feature of the project is the
integration of early childhood care into the training curriculum, with a
specific focus on hotel operations. By promoting and professionalising
childcare services within hotels, the initiative opens up new career
opportunities and recognises childcare as a formal occupation requiring
training and certification. At the same time, childcare services are provided
for young parents enrolled in the academy, allowing them to attend courses
without concerns for their children’s safety.
The project also reaches beyond participants
themselves. Parents, caregivers and other community members benefit from
workshops on positive parenting, violence prevention, youth rights,
employability, sexual and reproductive health, and principles of decent work.
Partnerships for long-term impact
Sustainability is ensured through cooperation with the
national vocational training institute INFOTEP, the Ministry of Labour and
hotels in the region. The initiative aligns with the Dominican Republic’s
National Care Policy and supports government efforts to formalise care services
while creating new employment pathways within the tourism sector.
A decade of collaboration
In 2026, the TUI Care Foundation and Plan
International will mark ten years of collaboration in the Dominican Republic.
Over this period, more than 600 young people have completed technical and
professional training, and over 400 have undertaken internships in hotels,
significantly improving their access to decent employment.
The project forms part of the global TUI Academy
Programme, which provides vocational education and career opportunities for
young people from vulnerable communities in tourism destinations worldwide.
Image
Credit: © TUI Group
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