Young people preparing for careers in tourism need academic qualifications and practical exposure to the sector, Executive Vice President and Provost of Miami Dade College, Dr. Malou C. Harrison said on Monday.
Dr. Harrison joined regional tourism industry leaders as activities for the State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) commenced in Georgetown. She was part of a panel discussion with Kamrul Baksh, Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority and Michael Patterson, Assistant Operations Manager at the Iwokrama River Lodge, as they discussed various topics within the industry.
Dr. Harrison said the classrooms should be more than four walls. It should extend into the communities and businesses to provide hands-on skills training before students are sent to work in the tourism sector.
“While you are in the classroom and you are being as diligent and conscientious as possible using your critical thinking skills to complete your coursework, internships, apprenticeship, work base knowledge becomes critical to have that balance … in order to transform our students holistically into marketable individuals who can go out into the workplace hitting the ground running,” the academic administrator said.
According to Harrison, providing opportunities for students to learn is the most practical way of securing their future. She said institutions and industry should work together to equip secondary schools students with practical experience and skills for an evolving workplace.
Harrison said young people must earn credentials that are recognised and valued by industries and communities, while also developing digital and “durable” skills that can remain relevant as the workplace changes.
She also highlighted the need for young people to understand how to use artificial intelligence ethically and responsibly, while strengthening communication, writing, adaptability and critical-thinking skills.
“How do you use AI ethically, wisely, and responsibly? I think that some of the most important skills for young people will be those future proof skills, those durable skills – communication, can you speak in front of an audience, are you able to write, how do you adapt to situations?” she said.
She stressed that critical thinking is paramount for success because everything is not taught in a text book. Using her own experience, she often times had to use ‘common sense’ to get things done.
But Harrison also said that the responsibility for preparing young people cannot rest solely on students.
“The onus is not just on the student and young people, the onus is on us. We need to give the young people opportunities,” she said.
Harrison’s comments come as tourism stakeholders from across the Caribbean are currently gathered in Guyana for the conference that will examine the future of the region’s tourism industry.
Source: NEW ROOMS SITE
