KINGSTON (JIS) -- Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says the hospitality school, which will prepare workers for supervisory and managerial positions in the tourism sector, will be established by 2018. The Minister announced plans to set up the school and a craft institute for the training of artisans, in his Sectoral presentation on June 15. Addressing a staff awards ceremony at the Bahia Principe in Discovery Bay, St. Ann on July 19, where more than a dozen of the hotel’s employees were honoured for excellence, Mr. Bartlett informed that the relevant discussions have already taken place for the hospitality school to become a reality. These include consultations with reputable institutions, he said. Minister Bartlett said the objective is to prepare Jamaicans for top jobs in specialised areas, including that of sous chef, which is one of the most sought after positions in the culinary industry.
“We have long identified weaknesses in training and service delivery and why our workers were not able, for the most part, to occupy key positions in specialised areas. We are confident this will all change when we give them the critical tools to work with… by giving them the necessary training to fill these positions,” he pointed out.
Programmes to be offered will include tourism skills training; foreign-language training; school-based programmes to promote tourism awareness; capacity-building programmes for middle and upper managers; and the development of social and physical assets at the community level.
He indicated that students will be recruited by “showing them the benefits of a career in tourism, and the potential for earning excellent salaries plus the amazing experience that comes with the ability to travel the world”.
As it relates to the craft institute, Minister Bartlett said the training facility will be set up in Ocho Rios.
“It is going to be called the Institute of Craft Development for the Artisans of Jamaica,” he informed.
He said the institute will expand the critical thinking and creative output of craft workers.
“It will also give them the opportunity to market their wares in an atmosphere that is conducive to proper merchandising,” Mr. Bartlett added.