Tourism in Jordan contributes a tenth of the country’s GDP, and employment opportunities continue to increase as tourism development flourishes all around. Despite this, a career in hospitality is far from the minds of most young Jordanians, who traditionally see it as shameful. Less than a year ago, Omar Al Masandeh, a resident of Madaba, exemplified this widespread mentality.

	Omar gets training in hospitality

“I had no interest in a career in hospitality as I thought it was shameful to be a waiter or work in a kitchen."

In the summer of 2006, Omar was drifting academically, with no clear idea of where he was going with his education, until he heard that the VocationalTrainingCenter in Madaba (part of the Vocational Training Corporation Hotel and Tourism Unit) was recruiting students for the Certificate in Hospitality Skills (Level 1). The center had recently undergone an upgrade in its facilities and curriculum, which was supported by the USAID/Jordan Tourism Development Project (Siyaha), and had launched a campaign to encourage students to visit the center during an open day to find out more about the course. Omar visited the center in Madaba and was impressed with the facility and the representatives from the hotel industry, who gave him a glimpse into what a career in hospitality had in store for him.

“I took the course and realized how much fun it is working in the kitchen and other areas of a hotel.”

The hospitality training course has not only introduced Omar to the dynamic world of hospitality, but it has also helped him improve his existing skills and learn valuable new ones.

“I feel more confident working in a restaurant now, and I’m more confident approaching people and talking to them. Even my English has improved as a result of the training, so that if customers speak to me in English I can answer back easily now.”

	Omar is proud to be training in a sector that will lead to a good career

The new vocational training certificate program helped to transform Omar from the epitome of derision towards a career in hospitality into a model of what USAID/Siyaha’s work aims to achieve. He now sees a bright future ahead of him after completing his studies.

“It’s not shameful at all to work in hospitality as this will lead me to something much better in my life and a good career.”

Omar is now beginning his six-month internship in the industry, as part of the VTC training program, which will give him the opportunity to hone his hospitality skills in one of Jordan’s prominent hotels.