The Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Hon. Rebecca Miano, has announced an opportunity for young Kenyans aspiring to build a career in the tourism and hospitality sector to benefit from the Tourism Training Revolving Fund (TTRF). This initiative aims to provide financial assistance for students and professionals seeking to enhance their skills in the sector.
The TTRF, established under the 2011 Tourism Act, is designed to support Kenyan individuals pursuing education in tourism and hospitality. The fund offers loans for a variety of tourism-related courses, ensuring that the industry continues to receive a highly skilled and competitive workforce.
In her statement, Hon. Miano emphasized the importance of training for Kenya’s growing tourism sector. "Are you a young person studying or aspiring to study in the tourism and hospitality sector? Would you like to get a financial boost to aid your training? The Ministry of Tourism is committed to upskilling young Kenyans who are eager to join the industry by providing resources under the Tourism Training Revolving Fund," she said. "Pursuing courses in this crucial sector will unlock the ingenuity of our young people and provide the hospitality industry with the well-trained workforce it deserves."
The TTRF not only supports local education but also funds courses at international institutions and online learning programs to cater to the evolving needs of the sector. The sustainability of the fund relies on repayments made by beneficiaries, allowing it to continue supporting future students.
Hon. Miano also highlighted the increasing importance of upskilling programs as the tourism industry faces growing demands and emerging technologies. “As the workforce changes and new technologies develop, the need for high-quality, industry-approved upskilling programs has never been greater. These programs are vital for quickly addressing skills shortages and ensuring that the industry remains competitive,” she added.
In line with this, the Tourism Fund, in collaboration with other partners, recently launched an upskilling program designed to move away from traditional learning methods. The program emphasizes on-the-job training, real-time feedback, and personalized coaching to ensure workers in the tourism sector can adapt to industry needs. By focusing on job-centric skills development, the program aims to continually enhance the knowledge and capabilities of professionals in the field.
The Tourism Training Revolving Fund represents a significant step forward in strengthening Kenya's tourism industry by ensuring that its workforce is well-equipped to meet global standards and drive growth in the sector.