TUI Academy Dominican Republic expands training programme and creates new jobs in tourism

International

Four-year initiative supports young people from vulnerable backgrounds and promotes formal childcare services as a pathway into employment

In the eastern part of the Dominican Republic, tourism is the main economic engine, yet access to employment remains difficult for many young people. Despite growing training efforts, the hospitality sector continues to face a shortage of more than 20,000 qualified workers. Limited access to quality education, a lack of technical skills training – including English – and insufficient life skills development remain key barriers, particularly for disadvantaged youth.

New phase of the TUI Academy programme

To address these challenges, the TUI Care Foundation has launched a new phase of the TUI Academy Dominican Republic in partnership with Plan International. Building on almost ten years of experience in the country, the four-year initiative will run until 2029 and reach more than 40 communities across seven districts of La Altagracia province.

Vocational skills, English and life skills

The programme targets 200 unemployed young people from vulnerable backgrounds, 60 percent of whom are women. Participants receive vocational training tailored to the hospitality sector, combined with English language courses. This is complemented by life skills training focusing on career planning, job readiness and violence prevention. Following the classroom phase, students complete internships at partner hotels, gaining practical experience that improves their employability and supports job placement.

Childcare as a pathway to employment

A distinctive feature of the project is the integration of early childhood care into the training curriculum, with a specific focus on hotel operations. By promoting and professionalising childcare services within hotels, the initiative opens up new career opportunities and recognises childcare as a formal occupation requiring training and certification. At the same time, childcare services are provided for young parents enrolled in the academy, allowing them to attend courses without concerns for their children’s safety.

The project also reaches beyond participants themselves. Parents, caregivers and other community members benefit from workshops on positive parenting, violence prevention, youth rights, employability, sexual and reproductive health, and principles of decent work.

Partnerships for long-term impact

Sustainability is ensured through cooperation with the national vocational training institute INFOTEP, the Ministry of Labour and hotels in the region. The initiative aligns with the Dominican Republic’s National Care Policy and supports government efforts to formalise care services while creating new employment pathways within the tourism sector.

A decade of collaboration

In 2026, the TUI Care Foundation and Plan International will mark ten years of collaboration in the Dominican Republic. Over this period, more than 600 young people have completed technical and professional training, and over 400 have undertaken internships in hotels, significantly improving their access to decent employment.

The project forms part of the global TUI Academy Programme, which provides vocational education and career opportunities for young people from vulnerable communities in tourism destinations worldwide.