This academic year, a large number of young people have chosen vocational schools, and thanks to quality educational programs and professional internships, employment opportunities are continuously growing.
One of the institutions with a strong tradition in vocational education is the Professional High School of Hospitality and Tourism, which offers programs in “Hospitality and Tourism” and “Food Technology.” Today, the school was visited by Prime Minister Edi Rama.
The school currently operates with curricula certified by EHL, the prestigious Hotel Management School of Lausanne in Switzerland, recognized as the best in the world for hospitality industry training. The program is now set to prepare the next generation of hospitality professionals for Albania 2030.
Built on Swiss expertise, the program provides a comprehensive approach to developing future hospitality professionals.
“I believe this is an excellent opportunity to study at this school, which, as I have had the chance to see, is very well equipped. The team is highly motivated, and the directors and teachers are now trained to the standards of the Lausanne Hospitality School, which represents the highest level of quality and embodies Switzerland’s best standards. Therefore, I believe this is a fantastic opportunity for you to build a successful future here in Albania, where there is a significant demand for well-qualified professionals in the hospitality and tourism sectors,” said the Ambassador of Switzerland to Albania, Mrs. Ruth Huber, who visited the school alongside Prime Minister Rama.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister of Economy, Olta Manjani, explained that the school’s facilities are part of an investment under the twinning project. ‘’It has been a two-year effort since EHL and the entire consulting team arrived. We also worked closely with the director of the consulting group; we conducted a feasibility analysis, a study, and met with all the stakeholders in the hospitality and tourism industry, including hotel managers and representatives from universities and schools. We assessed the entire sector, and then we decided to begin our collaboration with a vocational school, starting with the Hospitality and Tourism School of Tirana, one of the oldest in the country,” she said.
Prime Minister Edi Rama met with students who showcased their skills during their professional practice sessions. “All you need is confidence and motivation because, in reality, you are in one of the best schools in the world, right here in Tirana. Thanks to the twinning with EHL, the implementation of EHL standards and curricula in this school, and the exchanges with EHL, when you graduate, you will be highly sought after in the job market. With a Swiss certification, you will have the guarantee that you are among the best. But always remember that, in the end, what you take with you and put in your mind is entirely up to you, and only you can make that happen,” said Prime Minister Rama, highlighting that the perception of the tourism industry is constantly evolving and developing.
“We need to ensure that these young people stay in Albania, so you will have the opportunity to set your salary as you wish, or later go to another place and say, ‘This is the salary I demand,’ just like the players in the Champions League. And honestly, salaries in the tourism industry have risen significantly and continue to increase every month because the demand is extremely high, and the need is extraordinary. But also, the perception of the industry is changing daily, as we are increasingly realizing that, at the end of the day, you can have the most beautiful hotel in the world, but if you don’t have the staff who know how to serve…”
“We are very pleased and encouraged by this positive and truly historic development for the future of the industry. And to be honest, I’ve noticed something: on all sides here, there are smiles. This shows that you’ve started to change, and even outside of class hours, you’re acting as if you are serving clients who must leave satisfied. I’m leaving here very satisfied with all these smiles. Thank you very much, and I’m sure not all of you love me, but you certainly have the smiles, because that’s how it should be. It’s not about loving the client; it’s about the client loving you and saying, ‘I’ll go to that table because they serve me well,’” said Prime Minister Rama during his conversation with the students and teachers of the school.
