Hilton Group provides career guidance for the youth

Thursday, 5 June 2014 00:09 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Waruni Paranagamage The Hilton Colombo together with Hilton Colombo Residencies recently organised a career forum titled ‘Hilton Youth Forum’ with the aim of rising awareness of career opportunities in the hospitality industry. The forum was organised as a part of the ‘Youth in Hospitality Month’ which is celebrated by Hilton Worldwide. Hotel school students, undergraduates, advanced level students and youngsters from the Deaf and Blind School were invited to experience the unique career forum.

Hospitality is one of the most attractive and demanding industries which offers a wide range of career opportunities and many destinations to work in. The industry helps people feel welcome and relaxed while dedicating time to enjoy themselves. Whether they work as a food and beverage attendant in a hotel or restaurant, or a housekeeping attendant in a beach resort, there is always an atmosphere of fun and they will always make friends. Hilton Colombo General Manager Manesh Fernando said: “Young people continue to face challenging employment prospects, so it is more important than ever to make sure they receive information and advice about the options available and the skills and attributes they will need once they embark on their chosen careers. “We are passionate about rising awareness of the opportunities in the hospitality industry offers and we are delighted to be doing this through one of our biggest ever career events across the globe,” he added. Global hospitality company Founded in 1919, Hilton is a leading global hospitality company, spanning from luxury and full- service hotels and resorts to extended stay suites and focused-service hotels. The company’s portfolio of ten world class global brands is comprised of more than 4,100 managed, franchised, owned, and leased hotels and timeshare properties, with more than 685,000 rooms in 92 countries and territories, including the Waldorf Astoria hotels and resorts, Conrad hotels and resorts, Hilton hotels and resorts, Double Tree by Hilton, Embassy Suites hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. Hilton Residencies Colombo Director Operations Stephane Roubin addressing the audience expressed: “Hospitality specially focuses on how to face the customers. We all started our career as trainees. But we worked hard, we learned everything in the industry step by step, and the company supported us to achieve our goals.” He added: “We can teach you everything but you have to work from the heart. The secret of success in this field is to work hard from the heart.”

‘Youth in Hospitality’ for Hilton Worldwide team members aims to inspire those looking for employment careers in the hospitality industry and to support them by providing guidance on the skills that are vital to succeed in the workplace and the beyond. Hilton Colombo Director Human Resources Achala Soyza expressing her ideas on ‘Careers and aims of the younger generation’ said: “The biggest mistake the young generation makes is not knowing themselves.” She said that before seeking a job opportunity, a person must give priority to their interests, skills and values. Hilton Residencies HR Manager Harsha Subashana also addressed the youngsters telling the secrets of facing an interview well, while sharing his career experience with the audience. The interactive session with the managerial team of the hotels lightened up young hearts, and served to open windows for those interested to develop a career with Hilton Worldwide. There were also competitions for youngsters organised by the hotels’ management trainees. – Pix by Lasantha Kumara