The programmes are being implemented in collaboration with Sal Academy Vocational Training School and development agency Target 8.9. They are designed to address the gap between available vocational training and the workforce requirements of Sal’s growing hospitality and tourism sector.
The foundation said this mismatch can limit the ability of local communities, particularly disadvantaged young people, to access emeduployment and income opportunities generated by tourism.
Through the TUI Academy Sal programme, 330 young people aged between 16 and 35 will receive fully funded and certified vocational education. The programme places particular emphasis on increasing the economic participation of women.
The curriculum covers seven nationally accredited professional areas included in Cape Verde’s National Qualifications Catalogue. These include accommodation reception, tour guiding and small business management.
Training combines theoretical education, technical workshops and mandatory 360-hour internships with local industry partners. Practical field-based learning will also form part of the programme, linking classroom instruction with the operating requirements of local businesses.
Future groups will participate in structured educational visits, including assessments of local hotel properties and visits to cultural exhibitions.
Alongside the vocational training programme, TUI Futureshapers Sal continues to provide support for entrepreneurship, women-led businesses and wider local economic participation.
During recent months, the programme has delivered training and business incubation activities covering business management, formalisation, leadership, digital tools and business planning. The activities are intended to help entrepreneurs improve the management, structure and development of their businesses.
Women entrepreneurs represent a central focus of the programme. Through the “Elas No Comando” Business Management Training for Women, delivered in cooperation with local community-based organisations, 36 women entrepreneurs were supported across two groups.
The training covered business management, business formalisation, leadership and team management.
The programme has also completed the Women Fishmongers Business Incubation Programme, developed in partnership with local environmental organisations. The initiative supported women-led businesses through training and guidance on formalisation, financial management, production practices and preparation for national certification requirements.
Support has also been extended to digital transformation and wider business incubation. An AI for Business training programme introduced entrepreneurs and companies to practical artificial intelligence tools for marketing, communication and productivity.
Through the Expedientá Business Incubation Programme, entrepreneurs received training, mentoring and practical support focused on strengthening business models, improving financial and digital management and adopting improved production practices.
TUI Academy Sal forms part of the foundation’s global TUI Academy programme, which provides vocational education, work experience and life-skills coaching for disadvantaged young people.
TUI Academy projects are currently active in destinations including Thailand, Zanzibar, Morocco, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Montenegro.
TUI Futureshapers Sal forms part of the global TUI Futureshapers programme, which supports young people in developing entrepreneurial responses to social challenges in tourism destinations. The programme is also active in destinations including Cambodia, Laos, Spain, Tunisia, Egypt, Colombia and Jamaica.
Tags: Cape Verde TUI Care Foundation