​Johannesburg Tourism has launched the latest phase of its Tourism and Hospitality Vocational Training Programme, a key initiative to drive job creation and economic growth in the city’s vibrant tourism sector.

A total of 300 former Tourism Ambassador Programme participants have been recruited through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) to undergo a six-month training programme running from 1 September 2025 to 28 February 2026.

Building on the success of the 2024/25 cohort, which saw 396 ambassadors deployed across key tourism hotspots, the new intake will gain on-the-job experience, mentorship, and practical training. The programme aims to equip participants to either secure employment or start their own tourism-related ventures.

Recruitment followed the EPWP Recruitment Guidelines of 2018, prioritising youth, women, and people with disabilities. Participants will be placed with host employers across Johannesburg — including tourism precincts, hospitality venues, and cultural institutions — close to their residential areas to reduce travel costs.

Chairperson of the Johannesburg Tourism Company, Nandipha Zonela, says the programme continues to change lives: “This initiative is more than a training opportunity — it’s an investment in people, skills, and the future of Johannesburg’s tourism economy. Our ambassadors enhance the visitor experience and strengthen the city’s reputation as a world-class destination.”

The programme aligns with the City’s mayoral priority of job creation and is implemented under the EPWP legislative framework, ensuring fair remuneration, transparent processes, and clear expectations.

Written by Laura Vercueil