The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Egypt and the National Coordinating Committee for Combating and Preventing Illegal Migration and Trafficking in Persons (NCCPIM&TiP) in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Technical Education (MoETE), organized the “From Education to Employment: Tourism Training & Career Fair” for students of the Fayoum Secondary School for Hotel and Tourism Services.
Held in Fayoum governorate, the event was attended by H.E. Ambassador Amr Ramadan, Chairman of NCCPIM&TIP; Mr. Mohamed AlTouni, Deputy Governor of Fayoum; Mr. Carlos Oliver Cruz, Chief of Mission at IOM Egypt; and Mr. Tiberio Chiari, Director of AICS – Cairo; alongside representatives from Fayoum Directorate, hotels and hospitality employers across Egypt.
The event linked students with real career opportunities while strengthening technical education outcomes and employability pathways. It also brought together national and local representatives, highlighting the shared commitment to advancing youth employment and positioning the tourism sector as a key driver of local economic development. It also emphasized the importance of collaboration in expanding access to work opportunities for youth.
“This job fair reflects our strong commitment to supporting technical education and empowering our youth with the skills they need to enter the labor market with confidence and competence. At the same time, it highlights the fruitful cooperation between Egypt and Italy in protecting young people and advancing their opportunities.” said H.E. Ambassador Amr Ramadan, Chairman of the National Coordinating Committee for Combating and Preventing Illegal Migration and Trafficking in Persons
Implemented under the Providing Positive Life Alternatives to Egyptian Youth (PLAY) project, the initiative reflects IOM Egypt’s continued efforts to address the economic drivers of irregular migration by enhancing youth employability and expanding access to decent work opportunities. The event brought together over 20 employers from the tourism and hospitality sector providing opportunities for 165 young students to further explore career pathways, engage directly with industry representatives, and gain insights into the skills and competencies required to successfully enter the labor market.
“This job fair is an opportunity to start linking the young people of Fayoum with the labour market, enabling them to establish connections with prospective employers and providing them with a better understanding of the tourism and hospitality career options” said Mr. Carlos Oliver Cruz, Chief of Mission of IOM Egypt “IOM is committed to strengthening technical and vocational education, building effective partnerships with the private sector, and supporting young women and men with positive, realistic alternatives to irregular migration, including decent work opportunities. We believe that this is a long-term investment in Fayoum and its young people to further advance the tourism sector.” He continued.
The initiative also reinforces the importance of creating an enabling environment that promotes youth inclusion, while supporting students in their transition from education to the workforce, particularly within the tourism and hospitality sector. With a strong focus on sustainable employment opportunities, labor market awareness, and safe, informed career pathways, the initiative empowers students to build futures where they can thrive and succeed.
“This initiative represents a key component of a broader effort to address one of the main challenges affecting youth employment: the gap between education outcomes and labour market needs, particularly in high-potential sectors such as tourism and hospitality. Through the PLAY project, the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation supports a comprehensive approach that links skills development, institutional strengthening, and job placement opportunities. Italian Cooperation funding combines a direct contribution to the International Organization for Migration with resources mobilized under the Debt-for Development Swap Programme, channelled through the Egyptian Ministry of Education and Technical Education.” Said Dr. Tiberio Chiari, Director of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation.
The job fair aims to expand access to sustainable career opportunities for young Egyptians in the tourism sector, while raising awareness of safe and regular migration pathways. Through targeted skills development, strengthened school-to-work transition mechanisms, and engagement with partners, the project supports young people in building sustainable career pathways.
Source: IOM Egypt
