Four Seasons Resorts awards certificates to graduates of apprenticeship programme

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”9692″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]A graduation ceremony was held at the National Art Gallery yesterday for the participants of Four Seasons Resorts Maldives’ Hospitality Apprenticeship Programme, Class of 2016.

Minister of Environment and Energy, Thoriq Ibrahim was the chief guest of the ceremony. Also in attendance were officials of the government and TVET, along with the families of the graduates.

The students received their graduation certificates on stage from Minister Thoriq Ibrahim, Armando Kraenzlin (Regional Vice President & General Manager), and Randy Shimabuku (General Manager of Four Seasons kuda Huraa).

This year’s graduates comprised of 30 apprentices from Four Seasons Resort Landaa Giraavaru and 22 from Four Seasons Resort Kuda Huraa. The ceremony also celebrated the inauguration of 65 new apprentices into the Class of 2017.

“When we started the apprenticeship programme in 2001, we had 5 students and today we have 52 graduates. And the new batch for next year has 65 students. They can choose between F&B, diving, housekeeping, engineering so there’s something for everyone. This programme helps students who get out of school to get started, and opens opportunities for their career,” said Armando Kraenzlin, Regional Vice President & General Manager.

Kraenzlin also said that they are trying to promote and increase the number of participants for the newly-introduced segments such as marine biology, lacquerware and surfing.

The Hospitality Apprenticeship Programme, launched in 2001, is the country’s first TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) certified Apprenticeship scheme, with a government-accredited curriculum and nationally-recognised competency standards and qualifications.

The 52-week programme is aimed at young men and women with little or no working experience who are at the beginning of their careers. The programme includes theoretical and practical components and emphasis is put on developing apprentices in the environment in which they will eventually be working.

The 52 graduates consisted of 1 female and 51 male apprentices.

“One of our challenges is not being able to attract a large number of girls into this programme. For the class of 2017 we have four and that’s better than last year but it’s a challenge. We have talked to the government and schools to promote the industry as an opportunity for girls to start their careers. There’s a lot discipline involved, and a wide variety of interests and we hope to see an increase in the number in the future.”

The Four Seasons Apprenticeship Programme has produced over 400 successful graduates, many of whom have moved on to supervisory and managerial positions in the industry. According to Four Seasons, 75 per cent of their graduates go on to hold full time positions with Four Seasons.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row]