Launch of Choice - MTA Tourism Career Awareness Programme
The Industry Human Resource Development Unit (IHRD) within the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) is once again launching the CHOICE programme. Now in its eighth consecutive year, it is launched to coincide with the opening of the scholastic year.
Choice is designed to give information and expose third, fourth and fifth year students to careers in the tourism industry, showing that the tourism industry can be a source of gainful and rewarding employment. The overview presented helps students formulate a knowledgeable opinion about the industry.
Last year, the programme attracted the participation of 40 private, public and Church secondary schools. To date around 20,000 students have participated in the programme. Students from each of the schools in Malta and Gozo participating in the programme are also encouraged to take part in a competition by submitting a tourism related project. Very innovative projects were created throughout the years, a sign that such students could be important players in the future of the tourism sector.
The CHOICE programme makes use of various resources. The CHOICE brochure includes information on employment opportunities in tourism and provides students with useful information such as applying for jobs and writing a successful C.V. This brochure is complimented by the MTA Tourism Career Guides Volume 1 ‘Your Future… in Hospitality & Catering’ and MTA Tourism Career Guide Volume 2 ‘Your Future… in Travel & Tourism’. These guides are supplemented by the Tourism Career Awareness DVD - an educational music DVD featuring Ira Losco who follows a tourist during his seven-day stay in Malta, identifying the various careers in the tourism industry. The aim is to highlight the various careers available in the tourism sector.
The programme is held in collaboration with the Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS). Students who visit the ITS are shown some skills needed for the sector from other students who are studying at ITS.
The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA) have supported the CHOICE programme by encouraging their members to offer speakers for school talks and prizes for the competition.
For further information regarding this programme and other career awareness programmes, kindly contact Mr Andre Arciola, Industry HR Development Unit, MTA on 22915122 or choice@visitmalta.com.
