up for the exams that will shape their lives. We all passed through
that phase and here we are today. Celebrating success in our careers.
Anyway yesterday was a memorable day as Hilton Worldwide's local
hotels in South Africa, in conjunction with The Culture, Art, Tourism,
Hospitality, and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority
(CATHSSETA), awarded internships worth almost R 3.5 million to 60
university students from across the country.
The initiative, is aimed at creating sustainable careers for the youth
by way of learning and development opportunities to train them in the
skills they require for potential future positions in the hospitality
industry.
In attendance was South African Minister of Tourism Derek Hanekom,
members of CATHSSETA, as well as inspirational guest speaker Tankiso
Motaung. Motaung, a qualified engineer, made headlines earlier this
year after a photograph of him begging for a job in the Sandton
Central Business District went viral.
Alexandra based, Minerva High School Choir also made a special
appearance and celebrated the 60 beneficiaries in true South African
spirit.
Addressing attendees at the event, the honorable Minister of Tourism
Derek Hanekom, said that boosts in tourism meant more opportunities
and jobs for the industry at large. He encouraged the youth, who will
one day make up the future workforce of the hospitality industry, to
take full advantage of their internships and the opportunity to learn
from Hilton's world class offering.
"The focus of the Hilton Internships and Work Integrated Learnerships
is to provide a consistent high-quality model that not only meets the
requirements of providing participating students with work experience,
but also to expose them to the industry and all that it has to offer."
explained Jan van der Putten, Hilton Worldwide's Vice President
Operations.