Hospitality skills development in Kandy

From left: Minister John Amaratunga being welcomed on arrival by Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management Chairman Sunil Dissanayake, Chief Minister of the Central Province Sarath Ekanayake, Ministry of Tourism Development Secretary Janaka Sugathadasa and Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management Deputy Director Prabodh Kulatunga

65 youth have successfully completed the one-month apprenticeship course in hospitality training conducted by the Kandy campus of the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management.

The popular apprenticeship course which is targeted at youth seeking employment in the hospitality trade was launched in Kandy in January this year. Since then the campus has successfully conducted three such courses.

The fourth course was officially launched by Minister of Tourism Development, Lands and Christian Religious Affairs John Amaratunga on 18 March in Kandy. 30 youth enrolled for the new program the same day.

The Foundation Course in Hospitality Training is aimed at grooming youth, especially school leavers for entry level jobs in the hospitality sector. 

The one month course imparts skills required to perform specific jobs in various departments in hotels and restaurants and is popular among youth seeking a career in Sri Lanka’s booming hospitality industry. 

The course serves as a stepping stone for the professional courses conducted by the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management. 

The apprenticeship course was launched on the instructions of Minister Amaratunga with the twin objective of attracting youth to the hospitality trade by making them employable and improving the service standards of the hospitality sector.