Minor Hotel Group has celebrated the successful completion of another year of its Explorer vocational hotel training programme, with 12 locals graduating from the programme.
At a ceremony held at Hotel Jen in capital Male on Thursday, the graduates were awarded with an internationally accredited certificate. Gender minister Shidhaatha Shareef handed over the certificates.
A fresh batch of 15 students were also given enrolment letters.
Amongst the enrolled students were two living in the Children’s House orphanage. The two had completed the three-month ‘Minor Hope’ internship programme.
Launched in Maldives in 2014, the Explorer programme is accredited with international certification from Australia, a leader in the field of vocational education, and is open for school leavers aged 18-21. Successful completion is awarded with a hospitality Certificate III qualification that provides the foundation for continued learning to progress towards a Certificate IV, and ultimately a Diploma in Hospitality.
The opportunity is extended to both young internal hotel candidates and external school leaver participants who combine training with real-time remunerated work experience. The year-long programme, which has since been expanded to Thailand as well, has a 70/20/10 format; 70 percent on the job learning, 20 percent social learning and 10 percent online formal classroom group training.
Each Explorer trainee is provided with a tablet allowing them access to the online learning platform that complements classroom training, ensuring a fully integrated learning experience. Upon completion they will have learnt new skills and gained experience and confidence in themselves and in an industry that contributes significantly to the well-being of the Maldivian economy.
Minor Hotel Group currently operates five properties in the Maldives, including three resorts under the Anantara brand: Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort, Anantara Veli Maldives Resort, and Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas. Naladhu Private Island Maldives and Niyama Private Islands Maldives are also run by the Thailand-based hotel group.