1. Skills Gaps in the Tourism Industry in Malawi
A Presentation at the National tourism conference, capital hotel, lilongwe By
Zandivuta kankhuni
Faculty of tourism and hospitality management
Mzuzu university
6th april, 2017

2. Contents Impediments to Tourism Growth
Skills Gaps in the Tourism Sector in Malawi
Tourism Value Chain
Implication of Value Chain on Skills Gaps
Recommendations

3. Impediments to Tourism Growth in Malawi
Inherent challenges for the Tourism industry in Malawi
Lack of strategic approach (harmonisation of policies) resulting from a highly fragmented public sector
Inadequate supportive Infrastructural development
Inadequate human capital – Skills Gaps
Awareness

4. Background
Objective: Explore skills development as an important vehicle for enhancing the competitiveness of the tourism industry.

5. Skills Gaps in the Tourism Industry in Malawi – Value Chain
Steina, n.d.

6. Skills Gaps in the Tourism Industry in Malawi – Value Chain
High level Skills Gaps common along entire value chain
Communication & interpersonal skills
Customer service
Tourism Marketing
Leadership and managerial skills
Entrepreneurial
ICT skills
Source: Tourism Skills Gaps Survey by IPRSE on behalf of Mzuzu University (2016)

7. Skills Gaps in the Tourism Industry in Malawi – Value Chain
Operational Level skills gaps
Hospitality sector (Accommodation, Food and Beverages) – chefs, reservation staff, f & b managers, waiters/waitresses, etc.
Tourism (Transport; and Travel Services and Attractions) - professional guides and attraction managers
Direct retail to tourists – craftsmen

8. Skills Gaps in the Sector: the Context
SMEs make up the majority of the economic operators in the industry.
Limited time/financial/human resources
Running a tourism business seen as a "lifestyle choice" rather than as a "profession“.
Reliance on "learning by doing".
Ironically, training is very crucial for SME employees due to wider spans of control.
Why bother?
‘’High-quality client service, provided by adequately skilled staff, is the key precondition for survival and competitiveness’’

9. Skills Gaps in the Tourism Industry in Malawi – Issues to Note
General Issues
Very few individuals on professional ladders in both public & private sector have appropriate tourism related training.
Absence of coherent national tourism strategic training plans that provide forecast projections for key institutions along the value chain
Tourism industry not attractive to high level talent (tourism not a career of choice). ICT, finance, sciences more attractive.

10. Skills Gaps in the Tourism Industry in Malawi – Education & training Institutions
Type of Programs
Examining Bodies
Remarks
4-year Degree Level
Mzuzu University
BIU
BSc(Tourism) & BSc(Hospitality)
Programs accredited by NCHE
3-year Diploma Level
MIT(Local)
Diploma in Hospitality Mgt
Diploma in Travel & Tourism
Programs approved by Govt
Certificate Level
TEVETA (Local)

11. Skills Gaps in the Tourism Industry in Malawi – Education & training Institutions
Type of Programs
Examining Bodies
Remarks
Diploma in Tourism & Hospitality
ABE(UK)
No practical component
Single Subject Diplomas
ICM(UK)
Single subject Certification -
City & Guilds (UK)
Limited practicals but ill equipped offering institutions

12. Skills Gaps in the Tourism Industry in Malawi – Education & training Institutions
Bulk of workforce trained in institutions offering foreign certification but without practical component and limited teaching & learning resources.
No regulatory framework to monitor quality of candidates admitted for training as well as monitoring delivery of training.
Type of training may not be relevant to our industry needs.
No basis for ascertaining level of certification with corresponding skills & competences.

13. Addressing the Skills Gaps: Way forward - Industry
Any level of service that a destination (or individual establishments) attains is squarely proportional to the total value invested in the training process.
(World Bank, 2015)
Attempt to match skills to the ever changing labour market
Stakeholder deliberate effort in recruiting appropriately trained staff (enhanced by licensing for some professions + incentives).
Regular refresher courses to ensure staff skills are relevant
Invest in a national sector-related research capacity (forecast growth trends and HR needs)

14. Addressing the Skills Gaps: Way forward – Educational Institutions
Developing sector-related research capacity in the academia.
Senior level training tackling research, policy and strategic decision making (advanced training/executive development programmes).
Specialist training to speak to the multi-sectoral needs of the industry.
Establishment of a national qualifications framework to monitor & harmonise certifications.
Expanding access to tertiary level sector trainings through alternative delivery modes.

15. Addressing the Skills Gaps: Way forward – Proposed Model for Educational Institutions
All programs should have an appreciable mix of theory & vocational component.
Training institutions should have adequate facilities that will allow a conducive learning environment.
Training institution must have appropriately qualified trainers.
Inherent focus on vocational training – practicum & internship.

16. Thank you!