Browns Hotels and Resorts launches ‘Futurekey’

A MoU was signed between Browns Hotels and Resorts Group General Manager Eksath Wijeratne and National Apprenticeship and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA) Chairman Tharanga Gamlath, forming a partnership to upskill and reskill youth.

Browns Hotels and Resorts is the first hotel chain to establish a training program where participants are provided with an internationally recognised qualification in addition to being remunerated well above industry standards, allowing them to prosper within the hospitality sphere. FutureKey consists of a management trainee program catering to graduates and an apprenticeship catering to school leavers.

FutureKey Management Trainee program is a two year program designed to give trainees exposure across Front Office, Housekeeping, Food and Beverage, Culinary, Human Resources, Finance, Sales and Marketing functions through the various Browns Hotels and Resorts spread around the island. Upon completion, graduates will be eligible for a management position within the organisation in addition to a NAITA internationally accredited NVQ Level 6 qualification.

FutureKey Apprentice program is a one to two year program where candidates can opt to specialise in either Front Office, Housekeeping, Food and Beverages, Culinary or Maintenance departments, and will be facilitated at three main locations; Club Hotel Dolphin in Waikkal, Avani Bentota Resort and The Calm Resort and Spa in Pasikuda. Upon completion, participants will receive NAITA internationally accredited NVQ Level 3 - 4 qualifications, opening many doors within the hospitality sphere, both locally as well as internationally.

Browns Hotels and Resorts fundamentally focuses on two main pillars, Soft Skills and Leadership skills development for the above programs. Eksath Wijeratne, commented that: the group is “Proud to be part of this initiative. Giving an internationally recognised certificate will enhance the participants’ career development prospects within the hospitality industry both here in Sri Lanka and overseas, inevitably bringing in more foreign exchange to the country.”

LOLC Group’s investments in the leisure sector are clustered under Browns Investments, which maintains controlling interest in a number of properties in iconic locations in the country. The portfolio currently consists of Avani Bentota Resort, Club Hotel Dolphin, Dickwella Resort and Spa, Hotel Sigiriya, The Calm Resort and Spa, five boutique properties under Reveal, Sheraton Kosgoda Turtle Beach Resort, Occidental Paradise Dambulla and Occidental Eden Beruwala. 

A further two projects; including a 5-star resort in Beruwala, and Port City Mega Leisure development comprising a 5-star city hotel are scheduled to be unveiled in the near future. A series of offshore investments in the Maldives including four resorts and one city hotel/condominium, and a 5-star resort in Mauritius too has been added to the development pipeline.

Browns Hotels and Resorts unwavering efforts in uplifting tourism even during the toughest of times, makes it one of the most sought-after hospitality brands in the region, and is a testament to the optimistic outlook the company has on post-pandemic travel, as they prepare to welcome travellers from around the globe.