WILLEMSTAD – A total of 48 participants have started a professional training program aimed at preparing them for careers as taxi and bus drivers in Curaçao. The initiative is part of efforts to strengthen the quality of public transportation services while creating employment opportunities, particularly for young people interested in the transportation and tourism sectors.
The training program, known as “Rijdend met Kompas – Certificates A and B,” is organized by the Ministry of Traffic, Transport and Urban Planning (VVRP) in close cooperation with the Curaçao Tourist Board (CTB).
The program is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and professional skills required to work in public transportation, whether operating taxis or buses.
Classes are being held at the University of Curaçao (UoC) and coordinated by Nostra Growth, an institution certified by the Ministry of Education to provide public transportation training.
The curriculum covers several subjects considered essential for professional drivers, including transportation legislation, communication skills in three languages, both spoken and written, customer service, resilient tourism, and personal health.
By combining these subjects, the organizers aim to prepare future drivers not only to operate within the applicable transportation regulations but also to provide professional service to residents and visitors.
Customer service and language proficiency are particularly relevant to Curaçao's tourism industry, where taxi and bus drivers frequently interact with international visitors.
The training also addresses the importance of resilient tourism, reflecting the relationship between reliable transportation services and the island's broader tourism sector.
Participants who demonstrate outstanding performance during classes and achieve strong academic results will receive special recognition.
According to the organizers, one encouraging aspect of the current training group is the participation of several young people interested in becoming professional drivers.
Their involvement is viewed as a positive indication that younger generations recognize career opportunities in public transportation and tourism.
The initiative also highlights cooperation between government institutions, educational organizations, and the tourism sector in developing professional skills within the local workforce.
The Ministry of Traffic, Transport and Urban Planning, the Curaçao Tourist Board, the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports (OWCS), and Nostra Growth have extended their best wishes to all 48 participants as they begin their training.
The organizers hope the program will contribute to a more professional public transportation sector while encouraging new entrants to pursue careers as licensed taxi and bus drivers in Curaçao.