ACED Program Graduates 50 students in Hospitality and Tourism English Training

On October 21, 2008 the USAID/ Aqaba Community and Economic Development (ACED) Program, celebrated the graduation of a group of 50 trainees who completed and a Hospitality and Tourism English Training Course.  The ACED Program coordinated with the Tourism Directorate in the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) in awarding a contract to World Associates who conducted the training.

The event was attended by USAID Cognizant Technical Officer for the ACED Program Cybill Sigler, Ms. Mona Hawa, Director of the ASEZA Tourism Directorate and Mr. Larry Hearn, ACED Program Chief of party, in addition to various other ACED Program staff.

During her speech, Ms. Hawa encouraged the students to peruse a career in tourism as there are increasing opportunities in this filed and drew their attention to the “INJAZ Tourism Career Fair” that will start October 29th with the funding support of the USAID/ACED Program.

Throughout the event the students show high level of enthusiasm, even one of them commented, ”I didn’t understand all what they said in English, but next time I will.” Moreover,Ali Ben Khalaf and Mahmoud Ezzideen two students who participated in the training, both spoke about the importance of the English language in their career, and thanked the World Associates, USAID and the ACED Program who made the training possible. 

The training program lasted five weeks in which the English courses were divided into three levels. The trainees were composed of students from the Vocational Training Center and the Aqaba University College, potential employees, as well as some current employees in the Hospitality Sector.  

This training was one of a series of courses that will be oriented towards enhancing the skills of employees and job-seekers within the Hospitality and Tourism Sector.