Sofis Solutions developed the SIFOTUR platform for technical training programs for the tourism sector in El Salvador.

San Salvador, September 23, 2020.

The SIFOTUR platform was designed and developed by Sofis Solutions through the consultancy: "Design, development, and implementation of software for Technical Training Programs for the Tourism Sector" in El Salvador. This project contributes to strengthening the skills and competencies of young people and adults, aiming to improve the availability of human resources for jobs demanded by productive sectors. In this way, it reduces the gap between labor supply and demand, increasing people’s chances to access decent employment and boosting the productivity of the tourism sector.

Within the framework of the Human Capital Project of FOMILENIO II, under the activity Establishment of the Technical and Vocational Training System, different productive sectors in El Salvador signed an agreement to establish Sector Committees responsible for identifying priority job positions, developing job profiles and competencies, designing training programs, and proposing a competency certification model.

One of the sectors included in this initiative was the tourism sector, represented by the Salvadoran Chamber of Tourism (CASATUR), a reference entity in tourism that contributes to economic growth, inclusive development, and environmental sustainability, and which offers leadership and support to the sector to expand both within El Salvador and regionally.

In this context, the consultancy "Design, development, and implementation of software for Technical Training Programs for the Tourism Sector" was carried out, resulting in the implementation of the Integrated Tourism Training System (SIFOTUR), an IT system developed to support the training of four occupational careers in the tourism sector: Restaurant Manager, Hotel Manager, Hotel Receptionist, and Tour Operation Product Designer.

The implementation of SIFOTUR was carried out with the technical and financial support of FOMILENIO II and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC); the system was handed over to the Tourism Sector Committee, part of CASATUR, who will ensure the continued use of the tool through the Training Center established and equipped with FOMILENIO II’s support.

This system benefits young people and adults participating in training courses for the four occupational careers, thereby enhancing their skills and competencies to increase employment opportunities in companies within the tourism sector and improve their labor market insertion, ultimately improving their quality of life. According to the Convention on Technical and Vocational Education, approved by the UNESCO General Conference in 1989, technical and vocational education refers to "all forms and levels of the education process which, in addition to general knowledge, include the study of techniques and related disciplines, acquisition of practical skills, practical knowledge, attitudes, and understanding of different trades in various economic and social sectors."

SIFOTUR is an IT system consisting of three modules: Restaurant, Hotel, and Tour Operation. It was developed to be used in technical training programs aligned with curricular programs, competency-based tourism training modules, and learning units. The careers incorporated into this system will strengthen the capabilities of people currently working in companies in this sector, as well as potential candidates to be hired, with the competencies required by the business sector.

According to Lic. Linda Ventura, contract administrator of SIFOTUR for FOMILENIO II: "The work carried out has been satisfactory; expectations have been met in designing and developing custom software according to the requirements and needs of the training for the different careers designed for the tourism sector. The design process successfully incorporated ideas and adequately developed functionalities in line with the expectations of tourism training specialists."

Among the activities implemented during the consultancy were pilot tests of the application’s various modules and functionalities, technical and usage training for the team designated by the Tourism Sector Committee, workshops with project stakeholders and users, evaluation of a gender approach in the application development, technical support, and incorporation of web accessibility elements to ensure modules can be used by visually impaired persons following Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) level AA standards.

SIFOTUR was developed amid an atypical situation, specifically a global pandemic caused by COVID-19. For this reason, Lic. Ventura highlights: "The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the economy in general, but particularly one of the most strongly impacted sectors is tourism, which has practically come to a halt awaiting gradual economic reactivation. This situation implies, among other things, a reduction in jobs in the sector and prioritizes reactivation efforts. This is challenging in terms of companies prioritizing staff training during a crisis. However, on the other hand, it can be an opportunity due to the strengthening that having trained personnel with relevant competencies represents. Additionally, as with all projects, there is a strong challenge regarding the continuity of training itself. The sustainability and continuation of training programs rest with the Tourism Sector Committee."

Furthermore, she expressed gratitude for the effort of the consulting firm that developed the SIFOTUR project: "The effort of the Sofis professional team has been evident in generating a product suitable to the requirements, both technically and functionally. The consultancy management has been satisfactory, considering even that the limitations imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic context did not affect its successful development.", affirms Lic. Linda Ventura.

The use of SIFOTUR will positively contribute to the development of competencies and technical training of human capital for the development of tourism in El Salvador, aiming to create opportunities for trade opening, attract greater capital investment, support entrepreneurship development, as well as generate new sources of employment that will contribute to the welfare and social integration of the Salvadoran population.