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By Charumini de Silva
To cater to the ever-increasing need for good talent in the tourism and hospitality industry, Harpo’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management (HSHTM) recently tied up with the Singapore›s Coleman College as the local partner to offer globally recognised high quality, demand driven programs focusing on areas of knowledge and skill development.
Speaking on the partnership HSHTM Founder and CEO Harpo Gooneratne said that the provision of good hospitality service is essential with Sri Lanka becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination. To be successful there is a need for well-trained staff in the hospitality industry. It was this need which motivated HSHTM to offer the unique course of study to the youth of Sri Lanka who wish to obtain a Diploma and Advanced Diploma in collaboration with Coleman College, Singapore.
“After two years of negotiations, I am happy to announce that we finally sealed the deal. Singapore is known for its world-class hospitality and as a result millions of people visit the destination annually. My hotel school has tied up with Coleman College in Singapore to offer diploma and advance diploma courses,” Gooneratne told the Daily FT in an interview.
Established in 2012, HSHTM to-date has conducted three to six month certificate programs on a range of hospitality subjects and focused on providing fundamental training for young people to enter the trade offering them the opportunity to progress in the industry. Over 500 students have completed these courses and have joined the industry.
“We are proud to note that HSHTM courses are National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) 1 and NVQ 2 approved, which is highly recognised in the industry,” he pointed out.
Noting that Sri Lanka is in need of people to work in the hospitality industry, including cruise ships, Gooneratne said the level of practical and theoretical training at Coleman College Singapore is at next level which allows passionate, competent youngsters to achieve their full potential in their career path.
Coleman College Regional Head of Admissions Loh Ben said the strategic collaboration was needed for both countries as they share the same objective to train competent young people and embark them into industrial needs.
Set up in 1998, Coleman College has over the past three decades expanded its scope of operations to offer a wide range of education and training services to meet the needs of its students. To date, Coleman has graduated over 30,000 students from over 20 countries. For the future, it plans to build on this as well as to regionalise and forge strategic alliances with reputable institutions overseas to further expand and improve our services to our students.
“We are glad to partner with HSHTM. Coleman College has been there for the past 32 years and we have been teaching hospitality programs with industry attachment. We provide our students different pathways by giving them opportunity to train, enrich them with the skills they needed for hospitality and tourism industry,” he added.
Gooneratne said the one-year course can be obtained via three options. The first option includes three months training at HSHTM, three months training at Coleman College and six months of paid internship. The second option includes six months theory at Coleman College and six months paid internship in the field. The third option includes a six months Diploma or Advanced Diploma awarded by Coleman College and then they can do the degree program from the UK, Australia and Switzerland.
It was also pointed out that within the six months paid internship students get a remuneration of Singapore $ 1,200 to $ 1,700, while those who obtain the skilled pass will get a minimum salary of Singapore $ 2,400.
“All our lecturers are from Singapore with extensive industry exposure. We have a pass rate of about 95% with over 2,000 students graduating every year,” Ben stressed.
Gooneratne said the HSHTM – Coleman College program will be launched within a month in Sari Lanka. “We will be ready to do commercial advertising and our social media advertising once we get the green light from the Coleman College, Singapore.”
Ben said they hope to set up a separate department in Sri Lanka for placement in here. “For students, this partnership will facilitate one point, one education and one career,” he added.
In terms of the gender mix of students he pointed out that it varies from country to country, while noting that the number of female students from Sri Lanka has increased over the years.
Given the international recognition, availability of jobs and high financial returns, Gooneratne said there is an increased demand for culinary education among female students at present.
