Marriott International Maldives Celebrates Inaugural Apprenticeship Program Graduates
Tuesday 19th of March 2024
Marriott International Maldives proudly recognized the accomplishments of its first cohort of apprentices at a graduation ceremony held at the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa. The event, graced by Honorable Ibrahim Waheed, Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information, and Arts, celebrated the successful completion of the Marriott International Maldives Apprenticeship Program's inaugural class.
Launched as a pilot initiative in May 2023, the apprenticeship program is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Community Empowerment, Maldives Institute of Technology (MIT), and Marriott International. This milestone partnership establishes Marriott International as the first international hospitality brand to engage with the government's apprenticeship program, setting a precedent for industry collaboration in talent development.
Over the course of 10 months, apprentices gained theoretical knowledge from MIT and hands-on experience across various departments at Marriott International's Maldivian resorts, including prestigious properties like The Ritz-Carlton Maldives and W Maldives.
Forty-three young graduates received Level-3 certification from the Maldives Qualification Authority (MQA) at yesterday's ceremony, marking their successful completion of the program. Aligned with Marriott International's Take Care corporate social responsibility platform, the program aims to empower local talent, particularly marginalized youth, by equipping them with essential skills for the Maldivian tourism industry.
Honorable Ibrahim Waheed commended the program's commitment to nurturing young talent within the hospitality sector. Representatives from Marriott International, including Gautam Bhandari, Senior Vice President of Hotel Development & Operations, and Mark Fletcher, Area Director of Human Resources for Singapore & Maldives, reiterated the partnership's significance in promoting youth empowerment and professional growth.
Gautam Bhandari expressed Marriott International's dedication to fostering local talent and providing graduates with opportunities for career advancement within the company. The graduation ceremony signifies a significant milestone in Marriott International's ongoing commitment to developing a skilled workforce for the Maldivian tourism industry.