The third cohort of the Marriott International Maldives Apprenticeship Program, conducted by the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Fitness in collaboration with Marriott International, has been successfully completed, with 40 youth graduating.

Certificates were presented to participants during a ceremony held at Sheraton Maldives, with Commissioner of Sports Mohamed Tholal handing over the certificates to graduates of the programme.

Speaking after the ceremony, Tholal said the programme was designed to equip young people with practical skills in fields they wish to pursue while helping prepare them for future employment. He noted that creating opportunities for skills development is an important responsibility, given that young people make up a large proportion of the Maldivian population.

Tholal said apprenticeship programmes help reduce unemployment by enabling skilled individuals to enter the job market and support themselves independently. He added that more than 100 youths have completed apprenticeship programmes conducted so far, with 71 participants securing employment at Marriott International properties.

The latest cohort underwent 10 months of practical and theoretical training and received Maldives Qualifications Authority (MQA) Level 3 certificates upon completion. Training was provided in six sectors, including tourism, transport, construction, the social sector, fisheries, agriculture and technology.

According to the ministry, the programme was conducted in line with the standards of the Maldives National Skills Development Authority and recorded the highest number of participants since its launch. The ministry said such programmes play an important role in developing skilled Maldivian talent for the labour market.