Programme Director Sergio Walsarie Wolff with the new group of students at HFTE Academy.
CAY HILL--Some 152 job-seekers who were registered at the Labour Department were enrolled in a training programme at Hospitality First Training and Education (HFTE) Academy, which is located on the premises of Hillside Christian Schools Asha Stevens campus and National Institute for Professional Advancement (NIPA) in Cay Hill.
A total of 113 persons enrolled in the hospitality classes, while 32 enrolled in the culinary arts classes.
“We are very excited and proud to have these students enrol in our programme” said HFTE Programme Director Sergio Walsarie Wolff. “These students came to us via the Labour Department and will be at the academy for at least six months.”
The students’ ages range from 19 to 63, and they are currently unemployed or underemployed.
The HFTE academy offers workers whose employment status has been adversely affected by the devastation of Hurricane Irma the opportunity to use the training programme as a springboard for a career in the hospitality industry or career advancement.
It is a central part of the Emergency Income Support and Training Project (EISTP) which is financed through the World Bank. Enrolled students receive financial support (a stipend) for attending classes and successfully completing the programme, as well as a small transportation allowance.
Classes are held in Hillside Christian Schools’ Asha Stevens campus and NIPA on weekdays from 3:00 to 9:00pm and on Saturdays from 9:00am to 3:30pm, to fit in when the two institutions have completed their day classes.
“Our students attend classes three times a week on fixed days of either Monday/Wednesday/Friday or Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday,” explained Head of Communication and Counselling Steve Duzanson.
The classes at HFTE offer job-seekers “a unique opportunity” to learn or upgrade their hospitality skills, earn a modest income, have full insurance coverage by social and health care insurance provider SZV and significantly improve their chances on the job market.
They also have the possibility to earn internationally-recognised certification for customer service from the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute and food handling certification for hazard analysis and critical control points.
Interested person who are currently unemployed or underemployed can register at the Labour Department.
“These certificates really boost our students’ chances of employment locally, but also abroad if they so desire,” Wolff said.
