Policy Dialogue on Strengthening Apprenticeship in the Hospitality Industry Concludes
Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) organized a Policy Dialogue on Strengthening Apprenticeship in the Hospitality Sector today, September 21, 2026, with the objective of expanding and strengthening apprenticeship programs and ensuring their effective implementation in the hospitality industry.
The program was chaired by Mr. Binayak Shah, President of Hotel Association Nepal, and attended by Mr. Anoj Bhattarai, Officiating Member Secretary of the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT), Mr. Khubiram Adhikari, Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Social Development, Bagmati Province, Principals of CTEVT Schools, Principals of private hospitality colleges, Human Resource heads of hotels and representatives from the hotel and hospitality industry.
Addressing the program, HAN President Mr. Binayak Shah stated that the rapid expansion of hotels across the country has also created increasing employment opportunities and, consequently, a growing demand for skilled human resources. He emphasized the need to initiate apprenticeship programs at the diploma level without delay.
Mr. Shah further highlighted the need to increase the quota for pre-diploma-level apprenticeship programs and to enhance the recognition, quality, and effectiveness of such programs by allowing the private sector to obtain affiliation to operate apprenticeship-based programs. He also stressed the need to implement the provision under Rule 16 (A) of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Council Regulations, 2083, which allows eligible industries to conduct apprenticeship programs.
He also informed the gathering that 19 apprenticeship students from Post Bahadur Bogati Polytechnic Institute, Nuwakot, an area affected by recent disasters, would be provided employment opportunities in the hotel industry in accordance with their interests and areas of preference.
Secretary General Mr. Sajan Shakya emphasized that the growing number of hotels in the country has resulted in an equally increasing demand for skilled employees and workers. He called for an expansion of the apprenticeship quota to address the industry's growing human-resource requirements.
Mr. Shakya recalled that Hotel Association Nepal has been participating in apprenticeship initiatives for the past four years and has been supporting the placement of trainees in hotels to provide them with practical skills and workplace experience. He also emphasized that the private sector should be permitted to independently operate such programs at the earliest.
Speaking on behalf of the hospitality industry, Mr. Bishnu Shrestha, Head of Human Resources at Hotel Himalaya, noted that trainees placed in hotels often show interest in working across different departments rather than limiting themselves to a single area of specialization. However, they may not always possess the necessary skills for the departments in which they wish to work. He suggested that educational institutions should conduct regular assessments and monitoring of students during their apprenticeship to improve the effectiveness of the program.
Mr. Mohan Katuwal, Vice President of the Federation of Small and Cottage Industries, stated that apprenticeship programs have made a significant contribution to industries by enabling students to acquire practical skills and become job-ready. He urged the government to create an environment where graduates of apprenticeship programs are encouraged or required to gain at least two years of industry experience. He also called for more flexible policies and regulations to make apprenticeship programs more effective. He informed the participants that a TVET Council has recently been established to facilitate the provision of recommendations and suggestions to the Government of Nepal.
During the open session, Dr. Jiwak Bajracharya, Dean of GATE College; Ms. Samjhana Basnyat, Principal of ICT College; Mr. Rohit Dahal, Principal of Nepal Banepa Polytechnic Institute; Ms. Abha Shah, Managing Director of Silver Mountain School; Ms. Ashlesha Karki, Executive Committee Member of Hotel Association Nepal; Mr. Narayan Paudel, Head of Human Resources at Everest Hotel; Mr. Amir Pradhanang, General Manager of Hotel Mulberry; and Mr. Niraj Pudasaini, Principal of Madan Ashrit Memorial Polytechnic Institute, shared their respective views and suggestions on strengthening apprenticeship programs in the hospitality sector.
Speaking at the program, Mr. Khubiram Adhikari, Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Social Development, Bagmati Province, stated that the existing quota of 100 trainees should be increased in the coming days to address the growing demand for skilled workers from industries. He noted that the provincial government has been making substantial investments in education and emphasized the importance of collaboration with the private sector to make apprenticeship programs stronger and sustainable in the long term.
Mr. Anoj Bhattarai, Officiating Member Secretary of CTEVT, appreciated the significant role played by the private sector in the apprenticeship program. He stated that the relevant regulations are being amended to further strengthen the apprenticeship system and assured that the diploma-level apprenticeship program would also be introduced and advanced soon.
The Policy Dialogue provided an important platform for government agencies, CTEVT, educational institutions, hotels, industry representatives, and other stakeholders to discuss practical measures for expanding apprenticeship opportunities, improving industry-based learning, increasing the participation of the private sector, and developing skilled and job-ready human resources for Nepal's growing hospitality industry.
