A significant skills mismatch is emerging in Belize’s vital tourism sector, where a growing number of young professionals with advanced academic qualifications in tourism are finding themselves either unemployed or working in Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) roles completely unrelated to their field of study. Industry leaders have identified a fundamental disconnect between the curriculum delivered by formal education institutions and the actual practical needs of the tourism industry.
In a strategic move to bridge this gap, the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) is leveraging its specialized arm, the Elevate Training Institute, to foster direct collaboration with learning institutions across all levels. The initiative aims to standardize tourism education, ensuring that academia and industry are ‘teaching from the same book and demanding the same standard of service,’ according to stakeholders.
Evan Tillett, Director of the Belize Tourism Board, elaborated on the institute’s evolving role. While the renowned tour guide training program has been a mainstay for years, the BTB is now pivoting to address specific, high-demand areas identified by the industry. A key focus is the culinary arts, with the Elevate Institute partnering with the American Culinary Federation (ACF) to offer certified training pathways—from line cook to shift supervisor.
Furthermore, the Institute is administering a program with the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI), specifically designed for skill enhancement of individuals already working within the industry. This dual approach targets both new entrants and the existing workforce, aiming to create a robust pipeline of job-ready talent aligned with market requirements and to curb the troubling trend of graduate underemployment.