Cayman hospitality school graduates will be job ready
(CNS Business): The Cayman Islands School of Hospitality Studies (SHS) will launch in September with its first group of 25 students. Applications are still being accepted for the programme, which is designed for young people between the ages of 17 and 23 and will provide by the end of the first year not only skills to enable them to get a job in the industry but also a City and Guilds Certificate, an internationally recognized qualification. The deadline to apply is Friday 8 August and successful candidates to the programme must be Caymanian, have four CXC or equivalent passes, a clean police record and, just as importantly, the right personality and attitude.
While over 100 people have already applied, SHS Director Wayne Jackson told CNS Business that they are screening for the right candidates for the limited spaces. Anyone interested in applying is encouraged to act as quickly as possible by submitting a completed application form, a police record and a medical form (though it may be possible to submit this later), which can be dropped off at UCCI or sent via the website or by email to shs@ucci.edu.ky
The School of Hospitality Studies will be based at the University College of the Cayman Islands for the first year. While the aim of the first year is to take students though a certificate level they will have the opportunity to move up into the associate’s degree programme and further on into the Bachelor of Science degree programme.
SHS students will get practical experience in the workplace for two days each week and will be on campus for the learning component for three days per week, Jackson explained. During the first three months they will be exposed to at least six or seven areas of the industry, he said, so they see where their interest lies and where they want to focus.
The industry has changed, he said, and employers are looking for people with a particular skill set who can hit the ground running from day one. The goal is for SHS students to “circumvent all of the training and the headache and hassle†of starting in the industry green with no experience and be in a better position to progress.
The hospitality industry is “vast and wide and varied†and covers the airline, hotels, restaurants, cruise ships and attractions industries, Jackson said, noting that all those areas combined make it the largest employer in the world.
The first cohort is just 25 students because with a smaller group they can guarantee a better outcome and ensure that they are meeting the expectations of government, which is sponsoring the programme 100%, the Department of Tourism and the industry practitioners who are assisting. However, future groups will be larger as the programme grows, he said.
From the outset students will partnered with mentors from within the industry to help them prepare for the industry and give them advice about where they want to go, as well as to help with issues and concerns. The programme, Jackson said, “will hold your hand†and maintained that it would be “almost impossible to failâ€.
In the Cayman Islands there is tremendous development in the tourism industry, which is poised to grow. With the right attitude, Jackson said, there is potential to be promoted within five years to a junior management position. Some organisations even have programmes that can fast-track you into management positions very quickly, he noted.
“Without any fear or reservation,†he said, “I know this programme will be a tremendous success.â€
Tomorrow: Marc Langevin, GM Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman and member of the SHS Advisory Council.
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Compasd states, “Opportunity is knocking for young Caymanians, but it remains to be seen how many will open the door. With less than two weeks before the enrollment deadline, there were only five official applicants for the 25 spots open for the School of Hospitality’s inaugural year.”