VETA-Njiro to introduce tourism courses

The VETA Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (VHTTI)-Njiro in Arusha is underway to introduce certificate and diploma courses in Tour guiding and Travel operations in addition to the current hotel programmes, which have been offered since establishment of the institute in 2011.

The Principal for VHTTI, Christopher Ayo announced the plan at the sixth graduation ceremony of the Institute on 23 November 2018 that involved 416 graduates (122 males and 294 females) of the years 2014, 2015, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

He said the courses have been established in collaboration with Nova Scotia Community College of Canada through the Improving Skills Training for Employment Programme (ISTEP). ISTEP is a six-year (2014-2020) programme funded by Global Affairs Canada whose purpose  is to build capacity of Tanzanian technical and vocational training institutions to deliver effective skills training programmes, resulting in 1,200 Tanzanian youth with the right skills sets to find employment in the extractives and tourism sectors or to create their own employment.

He said curricula for the courses have already been developed and sent to the National Council for Technical Education (NACTE) for approval and accreditation of the programmes.

Also, Ayo said the Institute is planning to increase enrolment of trainees of its different programmes from the current 220 to 500 per year and will also introduce E-learning system in order to facilitate those who require training but far away from the Institute.

He encouraged the graduates to concentrate on self-employment by establishing their own projects because they have also been learnt entrepreneurship and marketing skills.

VHTTI-Njiro was established in 2011 with long and short course training programmes in Front Office Operation; Food Production; Food and Beverage Services and Sales; and House Keeping and Laundry Services.

After registration by NACTE the programmes were restructured to form three courses of Rooms Division; Food and Beverage Services and Sales and Culinary Art.

The Institute also offers training short course training in decoration, Office and Premise Cleaning, Cookery, bakery, beverage sales and tour guiding.  

The Institute also owns a three star hotel, which apart from being used as a facility for students’ practical training it also offers accommodation and conference facilities for workshops, seminars and meeting to external people and thus generating income.