Maldives Targets Level 4 Tourism Apprenticeships before Year-End

The Maldives’ tourism and youth ministries will work to begin Level 4 certificate courses before the end of 2026 under a new agreement to expand training for young people in the tourism industry.

Youth Empowerment, Sports and Fitness Minister Abdulla Rafiu and Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Mohamed Ameen signed the memorandum of understanding on 7 October.

The Youth Ministry’s announcement says the two ministries will cooperate on tourism training through the National Apprenticeship Programme. It identifies the start of Level 4 courses before year-end as part of their planned work.

Tourism Ministry to Bring Resorts into Programme

Under the agreement, the Tourism Ministry will help strengthen links with resorts, bring properties into the programme and increase their participation.

Its supporting role also includes helping resolve issues involving resorts. The Youth Ministry describes the partnership as a means of expanding the training available to young people in the tourism sector.

The announcement sets a year-end objective for starting the Level 4 courses. It does not publish a course-by-course intake schedule, the number of places or the names of participating resorts.

Workplace Training and National Qualifications

The Maldives National Skills Development Authority’s description of the National Apprenticeship Programme sets out a model based on learning a trade or occupation at work, under the supervision of people in the industry.

Participants receive a national certificate on completion. The authority lists the connection between training and employment, competency-based instruction and the development of a nationally qualified workforce among the programme’s objectives.

Its general overview describes training periods of approximately six to 12 months. Those are programme-wide details, rather than a published timetable for the new Level 4 tourism courses announced by the ministries.

Existing Hospitality Apprenticeships

Tourism businesses already operate apprenticeship arrangements with government and education partners. In June, Marriott International reported that 40 apprentices had graduated from its Maldives programme’s third cohort, delivered with the Youth Ministry and the Maldives Institute of Technology.

The company announcement published by Visit Maldives listed five disciplines: front office, housekeeping, food and beverage service, culinary work, and electrical installation and maintenance.

Participants completed classroom learning at the institute alongside practical experience at Marriott’s Maldives resorts. The properties included The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands; W Maldives; and Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort and Spa.

At the time of that announcement, Marriott said the programme had engaged 171 apprentices since its 2023 launch and produced 74 graduates. It had received more than 500 applications, with 73 apprentices in the latest intake.

Those figures relate to Marriott’s existing programme. The ministries’ new agreement establishes a separate basis for cooperation on tourism training, with the Level 4 course launch targeted before the end of this year.