Youth better prepared for hospitality jobs

Forty young men and women are now equipped with internationally recognised best practises and standards to bolster the hospitality industry in Barbados and further afield.

Having successfully completed the Sandals Hospitality Training Programme (HTP) some among this cohort have already secured employment at Sandals Barbados. The HTP initiative is designed to give Caribbean nationals an opportunity to build the requisite skill sets needed for the hospitality industry through the provision of technical and soft skills training in various areas of hotel operations.

One of the successful graduates was Kadri Jones, who expressed to Barbados TODAY her excitement to be part of the luxury-Included chain of resorts. This is Jones’ first hospitality employment opportunity, and she is currently assigned to the resort’s Portofino Italian cuisine restaurant.

Jones noted that her decision to undertake the programme was a good one because it gave practical exposure to all aspects of the hotel industry.

“It’s very hands-on and you get to interact with the guests which I think is a great learning experience… Also, to be selected for a permanent position with Sandals is great as I went in open-minded but was really hoping I would be able to stay. So now I put all of my training into my position and it has been fun so far,” the 24-year-old said.

The programme runs for ten weeks, during which time trainees receive in-depth on-the-job training and mentorship from seasoned hoteliers in specific departments. This allows them full hotel work experience and, upon graduation, they receive a certificate of completion. Those successful in the programme are first in line to secure open positions at Sandals Barbados. Where there are no open positions, the applicants are added to the company’s database for potential employment at other Sandals resorts across the region.

Sandals Barbados Human Resources Manager, Kim Henry Charles, congratulated all the successful participants and urged them to take their newfound skills and make a difference in the workplace while becoming consummate professionals.

“What you have learned during this training and your certification in the field, no one can take from you. At Sandals, we pride ourselves on being the best, and we have achieved this over the years because we have the best team members. To see young Barbadian faces here today, ready for the challenge, assures us that when there is an opening for new employees at Sandals or even an opportunity to fill positions at any other local resort, Barbados tourism stakeholders won’t have to look too far,” Henry-Charles said.

The manager also noted that Sandals Barbados is already in the process of identifying 70 more young men and women for the next HTP training session. This is expected to begin later this month with the intent to certify more young people to work in the tourism sector. Interested people between the ages of 18 to 30 are encouraged to email their resumes to recruitsbd@grp.sandals.com. (PR)