OCHO RIOS, St Ann — Committed to continuously elevating the high level of competency and proficiency of its team members across the Caribbean, Sandals Resort International (SRI) recently officially launched its premier educational institution Sandals Corporate University (SCU).

The university, the first of its kind in the Caribbean, has already been endorsed by regional leaders including four regional government heads — Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and colleague prime ministers Baldwin Spencer, Antigua & Barbuda; Hubert Ingraham, The Bahamas and Dr Kenny Anthony, St Lucia.

The prime ministers, during the launch, publicly endorsed the establishment of the university, which will provide certification to team members currently without formal academic qualifications, and qualified team members with an avenue to advance their education.

Through partnership with internationally recognised universities such as the Canada-based Ryerson University, the university’s programmes place staff on a learning pathway that can ultimately lead to master’s and/or doctoral degrees.

SRI said similar partnerships with the Western Hospitality Institute (WHI) in Jamaica will also afford employees an opportunity to obtain associate and bachelor’s degrees.

At the same time, the Jamaica Foundation for Lifelong Learning, another institution SRI has partnered with, will provide classes in Mathematics and English for those in pursuit of high school equivalency.

Sandals group chairman Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, said the establishment of the university formed part of his own simple philosophy of customer service where guests to his all-inclusive resorts “are given more than he or she expects”.

Stewart said also that the university was a major investment in people and that SCU was poised to becoming the premier organisation in the region which creates a dynamic learning culture and empowers further hospitality professionals.

“We are totally committed to bringing education, training and development of our people right there where they are on the job. Our aim is to eliminate many of the huge obstacles, to advance the education training while on the job, such as logistics financial consideration and time constraints.”

The corporate university’s courses and programmes range from basic hospitality-specific training to professional certifications covering a wide array of disciplines.

The courses are designed to meet internationally accredited standards and are administered by certified hospitality educators trained by the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute and Sandals-trained certified departmental trainers.

Chief Executive Officer for the Sandals Group, Adam Stewart, said the university would have some 20 campuses at Sandals, Beaches and Grand Pineapple Resorts in the region.

He said the heads of each department would become the dean for the different programmes. The younger Stewart also said that the investment the company was making in the region’s human capital would help to drive countries in the region forward.

The CEO said the company was in talks with Florida International University (FIU) and that US$5-M would be spent over the next five years to develop the university’s programmes.

He said some 2,500 workers would participate in the different programmes during the next 12 months.

Chairman of the board of directors for the university, Justice Michael Tulloch, during the launch at Sandals Grande Riviera here in St Ann, said the launch of SCU should open doors to opportunities for countless numbers of people across the region and should also help in developing the region in the years to come.

Students participating in SCU can also earn credits for future educational development by obtaining certificates through the Sandals Hospitality Management programme or from the institution’s Prior Learning Assessment for the industry’s experienced team members.

In addition to receiving practical training in specific disciplines, SCU will also focus on eight key learning objectives. Among these elements are the SCU competency assessment, examining the knowledge, skills and attitudes employees require to perform efficiently.

Other elements include SCU cross-training programmes, allowing team members to gain inter-departmental experience; and SCU ‘volunteer’ hours, which will provide team members with the opportunity to engage in philanthropy by volunteering through the Sandals Foundation and Sandals Earthguard.

It will also include professional qualification, providing team members with professional certifications at an international level.

SRI said while SCU core courses will be free to team members, courses offered in conjunction with external institutions may attract a cost. However, annual scholarship funds valued at US$200,000 along with open scholarship opportunities are in place to assist qualified members.

The university’s programmes include certificates in Sandals Hospitality, Sandals Hospitality Master Class Certificate, SCU/WHI Associate Degree, SCU/WHI Bachelor’s Degree and SCU Continuing Studies Programmes where a range of professional certificates, post-graduates degrees, diplomas and certificates as well as independent courses will be offered.

Sheena Samuels, Environment, Health and Safety assistant at Sandals Grande Riviera is reading for her bachelors’ degree in Hospitality Management through the SCU/WHI programme.

“I really appreciate the fact that Sandals has instituted the Corporate University for team members as many of us don’t have the time to go outside and further our studies. Now we have our very own campus on property.”

Samuels said the initiative was a major move by a very progressive company, adding that she was looking forward to taking full advantage of the opportunity.

Another student, Ishka McFarlane, the sales co-ordinator at Beaches Boscobel is also a BSc student. She said the establishment of the corporate university was a great opportunity for team members.

“Sandals has a reputation for exceptional service and now staff will be more qualified to deliver that service. The partnerships with reputable institutions such as FIU and Western Hospitality Institute makes the programme even more exciting and adds an international component. I am really pleased and proud to be a part of this movement.”