On February 6th, 2018, at 14:00, in “Tirana International” Hotel, “Consortium” Room, took place the ceremony certificates distribution to the top 100 students of the Tourism Academy, of “People First” Project, enabled by The HeadHunter, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Embassy of Sweden in Albania.
“People First – Growth in Tourism through Qualified Human Resources” Project, is a human resources-focused approach to stimulating qualification growth, job growth and job placement in Albania’s tourism sector. The HeadHunter is a private business that helps pairing Albanians with tourism jobs, through career advising and placement of youth. About 2,000 young people will be trained, will conduct internships and will be employed in various professions, in the Hospitality – Tourism businesses in Albania, during the 2-year period of Project’s implementation.
The project has created partnerships between students-prospective employees, Vocational Training Centers and Hospitality-Tourism businesses, and thus, established pathways for prospective employees-particularly youth and women – to gain skills and enter the workforce. This project is focused in five tourism hotspots of Albania: Tirana, the Southern Rivera, Durrës-Kavaja corridor, Shkodra-The Albanian Alps and Korca Region, including Lake Ohrid, Pogradec, and Voskopoja.
Also, The HeadHunter has created the “Academy of Tourism” at the “HH Boutique” Hotel, located in Dhërmi touristic spot, to serve the purpose of the Project. “HH Boutique” Hotel operates as a genuine hotel and restaurant business, but the staff is composed of young trainees conducting the internship there.
The Ambassador of the United States of America in Albania, His Excellency, Mr. Donald Lu, and the Ambassador of Sweden in Albania, His Excellency, Mr. Johan Ndisi, supported and participated in this event, and also, high level representatives from the State, such as; Ms. Lindita Nikolla, Minister of Education, Sports and Youth, Mr. Arben Ahmetaj, Minister of Finance and Economy and International authorities, were present in the activity. Also, a high number of local media joined to reflect the activity.
Mr. Elton Ilirjani, Founder and CEO of The HeadHunter Group, started the activity by thanking the participants, the donators, the students and the Hospitality – Tourism businesses all over Albania, who support the Project, and honoree roll called; Mr. Donald Lu, Mr. Johan Ndisi, Ms. Lindita Nikolla and Mr. Arben Ahmetaj, who, after congratulating Project}s achievements up to now, distributed the certificates to the best students. Also, the Project Director, Mr. Besart Kondi, delivered certificates to some of the best students.
Furthermore, The HeadHunter and the students granted to the honoree participants, the curricula of the course for all Hospitality-Tourism professions.
The activity was concluded with a cocktail, where all invitees participated.
