Centara Maldives partners with SAILS Project to develop Maldivian hospitality talent
Centara Hotels & Resorts’ Maldives portfolio, comprising Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives, Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, The Centara Collection, Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives, and Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives, has partnered with the Sustainable and Integrated Labour Services (SAILS) Project, a World Bank funded initiative under the Ministry of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology. The partnership marks a shared commitment to strengthening pathways into hospitality for Maldivian talent by enhancing employability, connecting job seekers with meaningful career opportunities, and supporting the development of a skilled and sustainable local workforce.
Through this partnership, the resorts will collaborate with the SAILS Project to develop structured apprenticeship programmes, facilitate internship opportunities, and support job placements across the portfolio, creating clear, sustainable career pathways for Maldivians entering the hospitality industry.
As the first initiative under this partnership, the resorts will host an Open Day bringing together job seekers and prospective candidates interested in internship and apprenticeship opportunities. Event details are as follows:
- Date: Sunday, 23 August 2026
- Time: 14:00 PM – 17:00 hrs
- Venue: Villa College Hall, Malé
Prior registration is required, and interested candidates can register via the official registration form.
At Centara Hotels & Resorts, career growth is built on hands-on training and mentorship from experienced leaders, within a service culture rooted in warmth, genuine care, and Thai-inspired hospitality grounded in family values. Through this partnership, the properties aim to give Maldivians the tools, training, and opportunity to grow their careers across the Maldives and beyond.
The Open Day will feature current openings across the resorts, alongside two structured talent-development pathways. The six-month Internship Programme offers a hands-on learning experience with practical, on-the-job exposure under the guidance of experienced leaders and team members, while the one-year Apprenticeship Programme pairs structured learning with immersive workplace experience, designed to build the specialised skills needed for a full-time career in hospitality. Both programmes span key operational areas including Culinary, Food & Beverage Service, Front Office, and Housekeeping, and are open to candidates who have completed their GCE O’Level or are at least 16 years of age, with a basic command of English.
Sharing his thoughts, the Cluster General Manager of Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives and Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives, Jorge Fernandez stated, “At Centara Hotels & Resorts – Maldives, investing in our people is at the heart of everything we do. This partnership with the SAILS Project reflects our long-term commitment to nurturing Maldivian talent, and we are proud to open new doors of opportunity for our local community. The Open Day marks the beginning of what we believe will be a truly rewarding journey, one where we welcome bright, driven individuals to grow and build lasting careers within the Centara family.”
“We see this initiative as an important step towards strengthening the future of hospitality in the Maldives. By connecting young Maldivian talent with practical experience, mentorship and structured career pathways, we can help develop the skills needed to build a strong and sustainable local workforce. We look forward to welcoming participants, sharing our knowledge and supporting the next generation of hospitality professionals as they build meaningful careers within the industry,” said Francesco Pompilio, Cluster General Manager, Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, The Centara Collection, and Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives.
