STI, RCL to open cruise talent dev’t center

CRUISE LINE Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL) has partnered with STI Education Services Group, Inc. (STI ESG) to open a training center in Manila for cruise ship hospitality jobs.

RCL and STI ESG signed a memorandum of understanding to establish the RCL-STI Cruise Talent Development Centre (CTDC), which will train students for hospitality jobs on cruise ships, particularly those under the RCL brands.

“We are excited to create new ways of tapping into the Philippines’ deep pool of talent as we anticipate a massive increase in the number of cruise talent who will support our company’s expansion,” Paul T. Parker, RCL senior vicepresident and chief human resources officer said in a statement.

Filipinos presently account for a fifth or more than 17,000 of the total global work force on board the fleet of RCL’s cruise brands, such as Royal Caribbean International (RCI), Celebrity Cruises, and Azamara Club Cruises.

RCL’s six brands operate more than 40 cruise ships that offer itineraries around the world and call on approximately 490 destinations on all seven continents.

Eusebio H. Tanco, executive committee chairman of STI ESG, said the deal is “a boost to our programs that emphasize both academic excellence, and practical and industry- relevant skills training that we hope will produce more world- class hospitality and tourism professionals.” —