MONTEGO BAY, St James — With a financial injection of over $19 million, the Sandals Corporate University (SCU) moves into its second year with more support for team members of the Sandals, Beaches and Grand Pineapple Resorts across the Caribbean.

This figure represents an increase of almost five per cent over last year’s inaugural disbursement, with 109 team members set to benefit for the 2013/2014 academic year. The SCU Scholarship initiative allows team members to undertake high school equivalency, certification and degree programmes with SCU partners as well as open scholarships in a wide-range of disciplines.

Last year, 124 team members received scholarships through the SCU valued at over $14 million, with numerous individual academic successes being recorded by the beneficiaries.

Launched in March 2012, the SCU was formed on the ethos of providing team members the unique opportunity to further their education through on-the-job training and partnerships with renowned universities and colleges.

With several changes already implemented, and many to come, the SCU administration is confident that in its second year, the university will double its impact.

SCU Registrar Mark Frederick revealed that, since the launch, over 1,200 team members across the region have registered with the university, with close to 1,000 certificates issued in internal courses such as customer service, leadership, the art of selling, and professional communication.

Team members also now have access to more than 230 courses and external partnerships with 13 top-ranking local and international universities and colleges including Ryerson University, Florida International University and the University of the West Indies (Cave Hill), with several others currently being negotiated.

Among the new developments is an initiative to create more technical programmes targeting specific departments. Team members in the Food and Beverage Department, for example, are now exposed to courses uniquely tailored for their jobs and these courses will cater to staff at all levels.

Adam Stewart, chief executive officer, Sandals Resorts International revealed that this year, the SCU also began incorporating Sandals’ sister companies t the ATL Group, into the corporate university.

“We are already offering foundation courses to our team members at ATL and The Jamaica Observer, and I am pleased to announce that 15 scholarships were also awarded for this academic year,” he said.

Stewart also emphasised the opportunity for growth and development.

“As the SCU continues to grow, Sandals remains committed to presenting opportunities for our team to develop themselves academically. It is impossible to deliver exceptional quality service if you are not equipped with the attitude, skill and knowledge to do so. Sandals’ team members at all levels are able to seize the prospects which have implications for personal growth, for the growth of the company, the hospitality sector in the region and, of course, the wider Caribbean economy,” said Sewart.

Meanwhile, Shinton Dixon, Bar Supervisor at Sandals Montego, expressed his excitement at being awarded a scholarship this year. “This scholarship represents the thrust I have been looking for to attain my dream of professional and educational growth as I intend to pursue the Certified Hospitality Supervisor course with the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute. With this SCU Scholarship, my dream is soon becoming a reality.”

The SCU aims to increase the number of registered students from 10 per cent of the staff population to between 20 and 30 per cent within the next year.