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The initiative was spearheaded by Cinnamon resorts in partnership with CARE International Sri Lanka and the John Keells Foundation. The participants were handpicked from the regions of Habarana, Polonnaruwa and Kalutara for the opportunity to develop transferable skills in a practical environment. They were screened based on attitude, education and personality.
The curriculum includes rigorous training and skill development in three disciplines of hospitality; kitchen, housekeeping and food and beverage services. Conducted in English over a period of 6 months, the program guarantees a holistic and engaging learning in hospitality services that will equip them with competencies beneficial for employment.
The Skills for Youth program is fully subsidised by Cinnamon resorts and will offer an engaging in-house training experience to this year’s assembly of participants. The program has proven to be successful, with the added advantage of trainees being offered employment opportunities within the Cinnamon chain and the tourism industry.
“We encourage young people to take advantage of this valuable opportunity presented through this exciting platform to develop their skills and use it to their advantage. We also recognise that in order for us to shape the envisioned future of tomorrow, we need to develop the greatest asset we have today, the youth of our nation. The responsibility lies in our hands to facilitate learning, and offer them a stepping stone to embark on a journey that otherwise would not be possible. We intend to continue this program so that more opportunities could be created for the youth of our nation,” said Ishara Naufal, Head of Human Resources at Cinnamon Resorts.
The Skills for Youth program emerged as a result of the rapid increase in hospitality establishments and accommodation facilities to cater to the steadily increasing tourist arrivals to the country. Sri Lanka is forecasted to achieve a target number of 2.5 million tourists by 2016. These figures imply the necessity for action to procure and preserve the skilled workforce in Sri Lanka. “John Keells Foundation is delighted to partner Cinnamon resorts and CARE International in the latest CSR venture of training and equipping youth from disadvantaged backgrounds for the Leisure and Hospitality industry. This is very much in keeping with our CSR vision of ‘Empowering the Nation for Tomorrow’. John Keells Group recognises that the future of Sri Lanka depends on the quality of the country’s human capital and hence our education-related CSR initiatives are aimed at enhancing life and career skills towards making Sri Lankans more productive and employable. Whilst we are very excited about this promising initiative, we will be closely monitoring and evaluating it and working towards maximising impact,” said Carmeline Jayasuriya, Head of Operations, CSR at John Keells Foundation.
Country Director of CARE International, Gregory Brady added: “Our Skills for Youth program focuses on providing training opportunities to youth who would not normally have access to such facilities. We believe it is essential to work in partnership with industrial actors to ensure the training is of the right standard and also to link the trainees with job placements thereafter. We are greatly encouraged by the enthusiasm and dedication we have seen from the Cinnamon Hotels team in launching this program and are eager to work with them towards its success.” CARE International Sri Lanka has dedicated itself to defend dignity and fight poverty, focusing on women and youth – the most vulnerable amongst marginalised communities. Their involvement in the support of this program is possible through the generous funding of Diageo’s Plan W program: Empowering women through learning.
