Kuepa Edutech Builds Economic Opportunities Through Hospitality and Tourism Training
As Colombia’s economy evolves, industries like hospitality and tourism are expanding rapidly. Since 2020, international tourism in several of Colombia’s major cities has grown by 70%. However, the employment opportunities created by this growth remain out of reach for many Colombians, including youth, migrants and individuals working in informal economies.
In March 2024, GitLab Foundation awarded Kuepa Edutech a $250,000 grant aimed at upskilling underserved populations for stable and upwardly mobile careers in the hospitality and ecotourism sectors. Since its founding in 2012, Kuepa has been dedicated to providing education and workforce training to diverse populations across Latin America.
With this funding, Kuepa has so far successfully trained 200 students in its newly launched hospitality program. The program combines 360 hours of training with a six-month paid internship at one of 20 partner companies. This structure not only equips students with essential skills but also offers invaluable hands-on experience, ensuring they are well-prepared to thrive in the workforce.
Students earning degrees in hospitality and tourism explore Medellín’s principal sustainable tourism destinations as part of their hands-on learning experience.
Kuepa takes continuous improvement and learning seriously, by embedding intentional listening and feedback opportunities into every aspect of the program. At the start, students complete a survey designed to gather insights into their academic background, expectations, and prior work experience. This survey allows Kuepa to determine each student’s unique learning needs and lay strong foundation for success from day one.
Throughout the training program, students engage in coaching sessions that include personalized daily check-ins to monitor their progress. Kuepa continuously collects feedback on professors, classes, and technology to make real-time adjustments to enhance the learning experience. After completing their training and internships, graduates are surveyed again to assess their career readiness, income, and job performance. These surveys not only outline outcomes but also uncover barriers, enabling Kuepa to design the program to be more effective for future cohorts.
Kuepa was surprised to find that women made up such a high proportion of students, explained Vanessa Achury, employability and further education leader at Kuepa. When the organization surveyed women participating in the program — many of whom identify as single mothers — they emphasized how earning a formal income transforms their ability to provide for their children and invest in their futures. In addition, Kuepa’s virtual training model emerged from listening to women in the program. By offering flexible online learning, Kuepa ensures that students can pursue education without compromising their caregiving roles or other responsibilities.
With a second grant of $50,000 through GitLab’s Learning for Action Fund, Kuepa will analyze gender and age equity in its secondary and tertiary programs, along with economic, social, and ethnic factors that influence participation. The insights acquired will allow Kuepa to design more inclusive programs and improve employment outcomes for underrepresented groups.
"Through partnerships and feedback, we’re constantly improving our programs to create opportunities that change lives — not just for today, but for years to come,” said Achury.
The projected cost efficiency of this grant is $703 per person to double their income over their life (cost per DIL).
This project is estimated to cost $1,035 per person to increase their lifetime earnings 148%
This project is estimated to increase annual earnings by $3,740 per person, for a total additional lifetime earnings of $112,200 per person
Total lifetime earnings increase across all participants: $30,855,000
