Government of Jamaica
Over 50 Million Dollars for TSIP/HOPE Summer Internship collaboration
An estimated 50 Million Dollars has been allocated to accommodate the nearly 1800 students who are expected to participate in the newly transformed Tourism Summer Internship (TSIP)/ Housing, Opportunity, Production and Employment (HOPE) programme.
Implemented by the Tourism Product Development Company and funded by the Tourism Enhancement Fund; the all-island 6 week summer programme provides professional experience for high school and tertiary students between the ages 16-25. This year the collaboration will enable even more students to gain work experience in tourism and its related sub sectors. Over 200 businesses will be housing the students.
In keeping with the objective to expose young academics to the tourism industry, prior to their placement, the students participate in a mandatory one day orientation session where they are sensitized on topics such as tourism awareness, customer service, cultural and security awareness, marketing of brand Jamaica and professional etiquette.
Speaking at the TSIP/HOPE rally held yesterday (Thursday July 12, 2018) at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett underscored the value of tourism and the importance of exposing a younger target audience to the benefits of tourism
“We are continually building the capacity of our people to create the come to mind experience. The programme is a means to transmit knowledge to you (interns) which you will be able to pass on. It also enables you to see the economic connection between tourism and employment. Currently we employ 117, 000 persons across the spectrum and another 300,000 who are employed in related sectors.”
Minister Bartlett went on to charge the students to take advantage of the experience and to learn from the industry service providers.
“Appreciate that you are not just going into hotels, you will be housed at some of the biggest and best providers of the experiences that the visitor comes to Jamaica for. In every area that you go, you will be functioning critically to contribute to the enhancement and development of the product.”
The 11 year TSIP programme commenced on Monday July 09, 2018 and will see its completion on August 17, 2018. In addition to the wealth of knowledge and experience they will gain, the students will also receive a stipend based on their level of education.
