450 hotel workers benefit from international certification
THE MINISTRY of Tourism has embarked on a massive certification programme for workers in the sector. To date, approximately 450 workers across various categories in the hotel industry have benefited from training and international certification through the Jamaica Centre of Tourism Innovation (JCTI) pilot project.
Many new doors of opportunity will be opening up for workers, and with many more rooms scheduled to come into the sector, Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett is confident that there will be adequate numbers of workers to meet the new demand.
In a recent interview, Bartlett said: “This training and certification forms part of my 4x5x5 growth targets, which seek to attract five million tourists, US$5 billion, 15,000 rooms and 125,000 workers by 2021. This is why I initiated the JCTI to ensure that we train and certify our workers as the sector continues to grow. Over the next five years, some 8,000 workers are expected to be trained.”
Although it would be ideal to have one tertiary institution devoted entirely to facilitating this and other tourism-related training, Bartlett said the various institutes now offering aspects of the hospitality training provide some level of flexibility for workers stationed in resort towns.
“These institutions are also internationally recognised, and this affords our workers the opportunity to be certified to work anywhere in the world,” Bartlett said.
Some of the participants were asked to share their experience of the programme and how it has helped them in their service delivery.
Denice Grant, brand coordinator, Hedonism II, Negril, said, “It was a very fruitful training exercise. I have garnered a lot of knowledge in many areas, some of which I had seen differently until I had participated in the training. My trainer was very concise in her delivery of the topics covered. She brought some things into real-life perspective and how best to address them. All of my colleagues who had participated in the training have also improved significantly in the way we communicate with each other.”
Donald Williams, steward supervisor, CocoLaPalm Resort, Negril, said, “I am now certified and have a better understanding of how to tackle my daily duties. I have a better understanding in solving conflicts, managing my time, leadership skills, and dealing with persons from diverse backgrounds. It has equipped me with so much knowledge across a number of areas in the industry. I would definitely recommend this programme to everyone.”