TIRANA, ALBANIA     To promote practical hands-on employment training in Albania’s economic growth/tourism business sector, U. S. Embassy-Tirana Acting Deputy Chief of Mission (A/DCM) Daniel Koski spoke at the graduation ceremony of USAID’s People First Project vocational training program on October 11.

The ceremony, attended by a standing-room-only crowd of over 300 students and invited guests, marked the successful closing of this USAID activity - a two-year initiative implemented by HeadHunter Group and co-funded with the Embassy of Sweden. Accompanied by USAID Country Representative Mikaela Meredith, the A/DCM congratulated the latest group of graduates from the project which, in just two years, trained over 2,200 students and helped over 250 graduates successfully obtain employment in the hospitality and tourism sector.  

With USAID funding, The HeadHunter Group helped build, prepare and place a workforce, especially women and youth, for careers in Albania's growing hospitality and tourism sector. Increasing the number of students who choose vocational schools has been one of the GoA’s goals in youth education and employment.

With the conclusion of USAID/Sweden funding, the HeadHunter group has signed an agreement with the Mediterranean University of Albania to continue the People First program for youth considering careers in the hospitality industry.