By RANOBA BAOA
InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa has taken a second batch of tourism students to train and up skill them in its bid to strengthen Fiji’s tourism industry.
Eight students from the University of the South Pacific’s School of Tourism & Hospitality Management recently started their one-year paid apprenticeship programme, a project launched the past year by the resort.
The programme initially started with local recruitment but has now expanded with the recruitment of regional students as well.
The students are expected to fine-tune their skills and gain as much from the industry as possible in order for them to graduate.
Resort training manager, Jacob Pau’u, said: “We want to provide our interns with as much hands on experience as possible to give them an opportunity to apply the theory they’ve learnt in the classroom to real-world situations.”
To be accepted into the programme, students must be recognised as high potential candidates by their institution.
The school every year, organises a careers fair at various resorts and hotels where the students undergo a series of interviews from the different resorts.
School Hotel Management co-ordinator, Greg Cornwall, said: “The initiative has been a great success thus far.
“Practical experience is an essential skill in an increasingly competitive industry and it’s wonderful to see local businesses investing in its people and consequently, the future of the industry.”