For the second year in succession, the Department of Economic Development has supported Sleepwell Hotels’ Training Academy, a course which prepares individuals for work principally within the Hospitality and Leisure sectors.
As well as the practical skills developed over the four week course some of the motivational challenges facing unemployed people were addressed by focusing on strengthening self-awareness and confidence-building.
Laurence Skelly MHK, the Department Member with responsibility for Tourism commented:
‘The Department is committed to a range of support to help people either get into work for the first time, or to return to work.
‘This initiative is an excellent example of the Department and industry working together to help people find employment and at the same time meet the requirements of local employers for skilled staff.
‘The Academy also demonstrates further investment in our visitor economy infrastructure. In addition to driving up growth in visitor numbers and spending a key part of the Island’s visitor economy strategy is encouraging continuous improvements in quality and service.
‘I would like to thank Sleepwell Hotels for developing and continuing this initiative and to officers within the Department who have helped drive this forward.'
All 20 participants learned the basics of food hygiene and customer service, receiving training in food and beverage service, food production, reception and housekeeping duties.
Several participants have already received offers of employment as a result of completing the course and work placements across the tourism and hospitality sectors have been arranged for the remaining individuals interested in pursuing a potential career.
Mark Wilson, Group Managing Director of Sleepwell Hotels, commented:
‘We are delighted to again work with the Department of Economic Development on what has now become an established annual hotel training academy.
‘Members of our senior management team were able to provide practical and quality training on all aspects of hospitality and service and we hope that all 20 attendees will now find a future within the industry here on the Isle of Man.
‘It was wonderful to see the trainees picking up their graduation certificates and to see how proud they were to have completed such a demanding 4 week course. I must thank my management team who delivered the outstanding training for their unerring professionalism and dedication to help the academy attendees gain a foothold in the industry.’
The Department is committed to helping the unemployed access new skills, training and employment opportunities. For example, it has been working with the Department of Social Care on a joint action plan focusing on 4 key strands: targeting resources; joint working; employment opportunities; and making work pay.
