Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts partners Swiss Hotel Management Academy

• Initiative aimed at elevating hospitality education in Sri Lanka

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, in partnership with the Swiss Hotel Management Academy (SHMA), recently announced the launch of the Cinnamon Hospitality Academy. 

This collaboration aims to elevate the standard of hospitality education in Sri Lanka by offering world-class Swiss hospitality education through the Vocational Education and Training (VET) by Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) Professional Diploma.

Students enrolling at the Cinnamon Hospitality Academy will have the unique opportunity to earn a globally recognised qualification from EHL, which has been ranked as the world’s number one university for hospitality management over the years. EHL’s curriculum, rooted in the Swiss Competency Framework, is renowned for producing highly qualified professionals equipped with practical skills and a deep understanding of the industry. 

The VET by EHL program is available as an 18-month full professional diploma with one year of work experience, totaling two and a half years. The curriculum combines real-world experience, applied management techniques, and academic fundamentals, offering three specialised pathways: Culinary, F and B Service and Hotel Operations. The apprenticeship model includes an in-depth two-day theoretical and practical learning followed by four days of ‘on-the-job’ training at Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Colombo hotels. The partnership between SHMA, a subsidiary of A. Baur & Co. Ltd. (Baurs), and Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts is a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s hospitality sector. A. Baur & Company CEO/Managing Director Rolf Blaser said: “We are excited to announce our synergy with Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts to deliver the VET by EHL programs by the world’s best and number-one hospitality education provider EHL. This is a huge leap for the hospitality education sector in the country, paving the way forward in creating highly competent professionals.”

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts CEO Mikael Svensson said: “This partnership marks a monumental milestone not only for Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts but also for the Sri Lankan hospitality industry, especially as the sector rebounds. The collaboration between us as Sri Lanka’s leading hospitality brand and SHMA to deliver licensed EHL programs – the world’s number one university for hospitality management, represents a powerful alliance of industry leaders committed to enhancing the standards of hospitality education in Sri Lanka and in driving the industry forward. The Cinnamon Hospitality Academy is not just about bridging the skills gap; but will also set new benchmarks in education and training, that will empower both young and experienced professionals, without having to leave the country. Through the ‘Learn, Work & Earn’ model, it will minimise productivity loss while maintaining service excellence.” 

EHL Director and Regional Head – South Asia, Myanmar and Middle East Aman Aditya Sachdev said: “We are pleased to witness the collaboration between Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts and SHMA in launching the Cinnamon Hospitality Academy in Colombo to deliver VET by EHL programs. Based on the world-renowned Swiss Competency Framework, the objective of these programs is to equip youth with the knowledge, competencies and mindset essential for thriving in the global hospitality industry. At present, these programs are being delivered across a growing network spread across 17 countries.”

We are confident that the Cinnamon Hospitality Academy will play a pivotal role in elevating hospitality vocational education standards in Sri Lanka, setting new benchmarks for excellence and innovation for the industry and further revitalising the tourism sector across the wider region,” Sachdev said. 

Cinnamon Hospitality Academy is a premier institution dedicated to advancing hospitality education in Sri Lanka. SHMA is the first institute in Sri Lanka to offer an apprenticeship learning model through the VET by EHL program. This practical approach ensures that students gain valuable industry experience and build strong professional networks, significantly bridging the skills gap in the hospitality sector. The program is facilitated by top industry professionals from SHMA who are trained and licensed by EHL. 

The success of this approach is evident in the career progression of previous SHMA students with 92.3% receiving promotions either in their current employment or within a new organisation. Over 75% of their students are currently employed at 5-star establishments, demonstrating the effectiveness of the in preparing students for successful careers in the hospitality industry. 

Enrollments for the inaugural batch of the Cinnamon Hospitality Academy located at Cinnamon Grand Colombo, scheduled to commence on 18 November, have already begun. Aspiring hospitality professionals are encouraged to apply early to secure their place in this prestigious program by visiting https://www.cinnamonhotels.com/academy or contacting its direct line at +9471 383 5741 (available for calls and WhatsApp) or emailing any inquiry to [email protected].