Launching English Program for Employability in the eastern region

Santo Domingo.- The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Mescyt) and the Association of Hotels and Tourist Projects of the Eastern Zone (Asoleste) have jointly announced the launch of the English Program for Employability, tailored for 70,000 professionals in the tourism sector across the eastern region of the Dominican Republic.

Franklin García Fermín, the Minister of Higher Education, emphasized the pivotal role of human capital development in societal progress. He highlighted the significance of enhancing communication skills in the English language to uplift the quality of tourism services, consequently bolstering the national economy.

Recognizing the time constraints faced by hotel staff, García Fermín revealed that the program will be conducted virtually, accessible 24/7 to accommodate their schedules.

Ernesto Veloz, President of Asoleste, underscored that the initiation of English for Employability is the culmination of several years of collaborative efforts between various industry stakeholders and Mescyt. The overarching aim is to position the eastern region as a premier destination in the Caribbean.

English for Employability targets professionals in tourism, hospitality, transportation, gastronomy, guiding, tour operations, and related service sectors. The program, delivered through a self-paced online platform, aligns with the Common European Framework and offers over 2,000 hours of comprehensive content. It includes multimedia resources, interactive exercises with voice recognition for pronunciation, and covers English tailored for industry-specific contexts.

Participants can achieve proficiency levels from A1 to C2, with daily class availability and supplementary learning tools such as translators, standardized placement tests, progress tracking features, grammar and pronunciation labs, as well as informational articles. This initiative is an integral part of the national Bilingualism Strategy.

The announcement event was attended by key figures including Ernesto Veloz, Domenico Cacace (General Director of Hoteles Secrets), Gonzalo Vera (Catalonia Hotel), Luis González Cadena (Bahía Príncipe), and Manolo Ramírez (President of the Federation of Hotel Employees of the East). Also present were Ramón Antonio Ramírez (Mayor of Verón, Punta Cana), José A. Cancel (Administrative and Financial Vice Minister of Mescyt), Giseh Cuesta (Director of Foreign Languages), Zomnia Schott (Department of Academic Coordination), as well as various business representatives and stakeholders from the tourism sector.