Forty-five young Antiguans were celebrated at their Trainee Graduation at Jolly Beach Resort & Spa on April 12th, 2013. “This is a new, rigorous, three-month Trainee Program, incorporating practical, on-the -job training with organized classroom Customer Service and Standard Operating Procedures sessions,” says Alex Browne the resort’s Training & Standards Manager. “Trainees were attached directly to their chosen area of interest include Food & Beverage, Front Office, Concierge, Accounts and the Housekeeping where they were monitored and assessed by their department heads and supervisors. Many excelled and were able to take up jobs within the hotel and also the industry as trained young professionals.”

The students were from a wide range of local schools, studies in hospitality were not a requirement for participation, only a wish to be trained in the field. Those who were selected had to qualify by going through an interview process with the resort’s department heads.

The ceremony opened with a prayer by Mrs. Vina Davis, Executive Housekeeper, included remarks from Mr. Hesketh Williams the Labour Commissioner. Mr. Williams spoke to the students about the importance of having a love for what you do, emphasizing a good work ethic and mastering time management for future successes.  He stated that the resort’s training program was meant to "whet their appetite" expressing a hope that they will choose the country’s tourism industry as their future career path.

“We are very proud of each and every one of these young people, many who will play a part in our tourism industry’s future,” says Vernon A. Jeffers Sr., General Manager of Jolly Beach Resort & Spa. “It was our intention with this new program to immerse young Antiguan’s into the industry so that they could garner an appreciation and understanding of an industry that plays such an important role in Antigua and Barbuda.”

The trainees received Certificates of Achievements in their areas of training and Asheca Lyne, was one of the “Most Outstanding” awardees at the ceremony. She was delighted to have the opportunity to be part of the Trainee Program, having always had an interest in the hospitality industry. Asheca rated the program as excellent and credits her achievement of “Most Outstanding” to the encouragement that she received from the staff.  She was attached to the resort’s Guest Services Department where she had the opportunity to interact with the guests first-hand saying that although it was nerve racking at first she is now more confident having been exposed to persons from so many different cultures. 

William Rolle, one of the students attached to the Food Production and Quality Department, worked alongside the kitchen staff responsible for putting out meals for 700-plus guests on a daily basis. Having studied the Sciences and Art in school William says he has found a new appreciation for the culinary arts. He is now considering his career options in the field having been motivated by the guests who clearly appreciated the work that he had done, making made him strive to offer great service each and every day.  William’s excellent work ethic earned him an extended stay at the resort where he is now attached to the Banquet and Conferencing Department.