An integral part of the education the young women receive at the PEHI is the internship component. During the internship period, the students will stay at different hotels for six weeks as part of the Housekeeping, Laundry and Food & Beverage departments.

In the former they practice for instance providing service to guests, laundering linen and guest clothes, cleaning different premises and communicating in the workplace. In the latter interns learn how to prepare and serve food and beverage to costumers, provide table and room service, work and communicate in a team and operate the bar amongst other things. An internship is important not only for the learning that comes with it but also for all the previously held knowledge that is being put to practice. This is especially true for a TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) education such as the hospitality training which the PEHI provides.

An internship sets the young women up for success in a variety of ways. We interviewed a few students who had already absolved an internship and they emphasised the importance of it and how it helped them with their education: “It has enabled us to enhance our skills of working with different individuals“. As well as the students, the teachers also noticed how the students benefited from the practical training when they came back to school: “Trainees have enhanced their team work, leadership skills and time management.” It shows them what it is like to be in a workplace, carry responsibilities, and work in a team. They are made aware of their tasks and are introduced to being an employee with a sense of accountability and self-sufficiency. Aside from the fundamentality of gaining experience during the students’ internship periods, they also very often acquire a good reputation for themselves and PROJECT-E within the hospitality sector of Addis Ababa and therefore increase their chances of being hired from that same hotel after graduation. Even if that does not happen, experience at any of the big, reputable hotels they intern at is a valuable asset for any future they have in the hospitality industry. This is why investing in the internships is one of the main goals of the crowdfunding campaign which we are running right now. Please follow this link to find out how more about the Crowdfunding Campaign. PROJECT-E appreciates any contribution to the campaign!

Written by Ruth Makonnen