Grooming hotel management grads for the job
View(s):Aspiring hoteliers were given a fine grooming in terms of what is expected of them when joining the hospitality industry last month, a media release issued by the Sri Lanka graduates association stated.
Ceylon Hotel School Graduates Association (CHSGA), the alumni of Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (SLITHM) conducted a seminar on “What the industry looks for in you” for the benefit of students who are to graduate soon and expected to join the hospitality industry of the country, the release said.
CHSGA President Eksath Wijeratne addressing the students said at the opening the key focus was to help the students to understand the aspirations of the industry that is expanding both in capacity and in standards since the end of the country’s civil war.
CEO of Sri Lankan Airlines Catering, Sarath Fernando, a graduate of the institute and a past president of CHSGA highlighted on the individual values that could transform a person from being a follower to a sought after leader. He attributed his career success to staying focused, discipline and hard work whilst giving greater emphasis to team work.
Analytical thinking and stronger financial management was considered an essential tool the aspiring hoteliers need to be equipped with by Upul Gamage –Director/General Manager of Edge Leisure Holdings (Pvt) Ltd. The former Nalanda College cricket captain and CHSGA past president connected all key learning points of his speech to cricket and analysis therein, the release stated.
Sanchitha Uduwavidana, Training Manager of Hilton Colombo spoke on the need to minimize the gap between the expectations of Generation Y and the hotel industry in order to create a win-win situation in employment.
The five key elements of career progress was the highlight of the closing remarks by Niroshan De Silva, Vice President of CHSGA and CEO of Jubilant Food Works.
Over 90 students of the institute participated in the programme in the presence of the faculty of SLITHM and the executive committee of CHSGA that was held at the institute’s auditorium last month.