The rand has devalued against other currencies, and the rains in KwaZulu-Natal have wreaked havoc with tourist bookings.

Yet for seven travel and tourism students of the Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Business School, the future has never looked brighter.

Not only have the seven completed the Galileo global-ticketing system requirement of their qualification with flying colours, but they have been offered the opportunity to gain practical experience with travel businesses.

Sharon Magoro, Lesego Ramaoka, Katlego Molema, Ruzicka Lencoe, Nicole van Rooyen and Itumeleng Themba are studying towards the National Certificate: General Travel, a Theta (tourism, hospitality and sport Seta) accredited qualification.

The one-year vocational programme is recognised as a preferred entry qualification for all sectors of tourism including travel, working for the airlines, car hire, event management/conferencing, tour operators and hospitality.

"We are proud of our learners' achievement," says Don Leffler of the Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Business School.

"They have shown enormous enthusiasm and passion for their chosen career."

But, Leffler points out, commitment and good results are not sufficient to make students employable. Hands-on experience in the workplace is what ultimately gives them a chance to find meaningful employment once they have completed their studies.

"Spending time in a working environment enables learners to put their theoretical learning to practice," explains Leffler.

"Employers prefer to recruit those students and learners who have the ability to contribute to their business from the day they first arrive at work."

Outcomes-based education and learnerships are aimed at preparing learners adequately for entry to the workplace.

Setas (sector education and training authorities) and some educational institutions have workplace readiness programmes and similar projects with the same aim.

"However, according to statistics, South Africa is still grappling with the problem of graduates and diplomats who can't find employment - a significant number of them due to a lack of exposure to the workplace," says Leffler.

"Besides having to do well in their academic studies, many learners are required to find an employer who is prepared to show them the ropes."

Without a network of connections and often being unable to distinguish what 'relevant' work experience entails, learners struggle to complete the practical component of their qualification.

"I believe this is happening across the board; it is not limited to one industry in particular," adds Leffler. "We have launched the Adopt-a-Learner project to make it easier for our learners to gain the necessary practical experience.

"Fortunately industry players understand the work experience dilemma and have come forward to support our project."

Magoro, Ramaoka, Molema, Lencoe, Van Rooyen and Themba will be doing their hands- on practical training for the next few months at Impact Incentives in Randburg, Rennies Travel in Johannesburg centre, Rennies Travel in Sandton, SanTrav in Craighall and Sure Travel 24/7 in Germiston.

The learners have also been hosted on a tour of Lanseria Airport and have enjoyed talks by travel specialists Lundy Arsenis and Cecelia Zungu of Rennies Travel; by Johan Marais of Forex Rennies/BidBank and by Natasha Beyers of Thompson Tours.

"The experience which our learners will be gaining will contribute to meeting the demand for specific skills identified as scarce in the travel sector, and thus be invaluable for their future careers," says Leffler.

He points out the tourism and hospitality industry is an exciting growth area where there is a shortage of skills across all job categories.

"We need to focus on providing training that provides for specific industry needs and is on par with international standards," he adds.

"We wish to encourage all businesses to continue supporting creative skills development and social responsibility projects which will impact positively on tourism and travel and create opportunities for the youth."

For more information, contact the Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Business School (THSBS) on 011-463-3264 929, email info@tourismtraining.co.za or visit www.tti.co.za.

Theta can be contacted on 011-803 6010 or visit www.theta.org.za.