01/08/09, 03:24:27 UTC

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Tourism Ministry seeks apprentices

caymannetnews.com

Want to get a leg up in the tourism industry but not sure where to start? The Ministry of Tourism is seeking 20 apprentices to train for a career in the tourism and hospitality industry through a one year Tourism Apprenticeship Training Programme, starting September 2007.

The Programme is open to all Caymanians, particularly high school graduates, as well as workers already in the industry trying to advance their career.

“The Programme is designed to create a cadre of Caymanian hospitality professionals in occupations traditionally under-represented by Caymanians but with respectable compensation levels and career potential,” explained the Honourable Minister of Tourism, Charles E. Clifford. “Apprentices should walk away at the end of the year with the technical skills and work experience necessary to succeed in today’s fast paced tourism industry.”

In the first year, scholarships will be awarded to 20 students to train in the following occupations: Front Office Operations, Housekeeping (beginning at a supervisory level), Food & Beverage Operations and Food Preparation.

The Tourism Apprenticeship Training Programme is full-time, lasts for 38 weeks and uses a three-pronged approach. The first term will see the apprentices complete foundation courses at the University College of the Cayman Islands and the International College of the Cayman Islands, covering skills such as numeracy, communication, computer applications, customer service, tourism studies and professional, personal and workplace development. The second term, again at the UCCI and ICCI, will cover the core competencies and technical skills required for each occupation, and the third term is work experience at Accommodation and Food & Beverage facilities throughout the Island.

Apprentice training is the oldest method in the book of preparing employees for practical occupations. Based on the philosophy of learning by doing, apprentice programmes provide participants with vocational skills and combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction leading to certification. In the case of the Tourism Apprenticeship Training Programme, successful students will walk away with the recognized CARIBCERT Certification.

CARIBCERT is a professional certification programme, designed specifically for the Caribbean tourism industry, based on standards established for 45 critical occupations in the tourism and hospitality industry.

“The CARIBCERT Certification and pin are signs of a competent industry professional,” continued the Honourable Minister. “CARIBCERT certified professionals are skilled and proud employees who consistently exceed guests’ expectations, resulting in repeat visits and higher profits.

“The Tourism Apprenticeship Training Programme will guarantee a supply of highly qualified Caymanian workers who will raise the level of professional competency within the tourism workforce, bring a distinct cultural flavour to local tourism products and services, and give much needed stability to the industry.”

The Programme is scheduled to start on September 10th, with applications due by August 24th.

 Printable Version  | published Aug 17, 2007