Since 1 November 2024, the Bildungswerk der Sächsischen Wirtschaft (bsw) has been implementing a small-scale measure (KM) in Uzbekistan in cooperation with the German Travel Association (DRV). This measure, which will run for 14 months, aims to improve the qualifications of skilled workers in the tourism sector and adapt them to the requirements of national and international employers. The aim is to strengthen the competitiveness of the Uzbek tourism sector.
The project focuses on trainees and skilled workers in tourism and hospitality in Uzbekistan. But is also aimed at teachers and trainers at vocational schools as well as Uzbek and international companies in the hotel and catering industry. At the beginning of the project, a comprehensive inventory of qualification requirements is carried out, based on a survey of Uzbek and German companies. This survey is intended to identify deficits in current training in the hotel and catering industry. Based on the analysis, specific recommendations and suggestions for improvement will be developed to help optimise the training content.
In addition, practical qualification courses for trainees will be designed and tested. These pilot courses, which are not currently included in the curriculum of vocational schools, are nevertheless highly relevant to the day-to-day work of employers and build directly on the results of the needs analysis. The aim is to provide trainees in Uzbekistan with additional practical skills that meet the requirements of the labour market. In order to remedy the considerable lack of German language skills in the Uzbek hotel and catering industry, voluntary specialist language courses in German are also offered at selected vocational schools. These language skills are particularly important in hotels that specialise in looking after German tourists.
Another focus of the small-scale programme is the establishment of permanent networks between the Uzbek and German hotel and catering industries and vocational schools in Uzbekistan. The aim is to offer Uzbek trainees who have successfully completed the language courses the opportunity to gain practical experience in Germany or at German branches in Uzbekistan. This international practical experience not only expands the trainees' specialist knowledge and skills, but also improves their career prospects on both the domestic and international labour markets. In the long term, this networking contributes to preparing Uzbek skilled workers for European standards in the hospitality industry and strengthening their competitiveness.