More than 25 students of Theodora Skills Training Centre (STC) in Negril, Westmoreland last week benefited from hospitality skills training sessions at Beaches Negril in recognition of World Tourism Day 2014.

The sessions, held on Friday, a day before the global observation, saw the students being divided into groups of three and receiving hands-on training in housekeeping, beauty/massage therapy and craft-making.

“I learnt a lot of new things about housekeeping, and while some of the areas we already knew in theory, this experience allowed us to see the practical side and helped us to apply what we learned,” said Kristal Mattis.

Theodora STC falls under the Theodora Foundation, a non-profit organisation that aims to empower young people, including some who may be at risk of being exploited through illicit means, human trafficking, and the commercial sex trade.

The centre offers them opportunities for education and personal development and operates a safe house called Theodora’s Place.

The foundation has expanded to implement the centre, which offers skills training and HEART certification in the areas of information technology, cosmetology and housekeeping to people in and around Negril.

The pre-Wold Tourism Day session served to augment the students’ training and allowed them the opportunity to put theory into practice, “Many of the trainees have expressed how much they enjoyed the day and learned a lot,” said Audrey Reynolds, co-ordinator at Theodora STC. “We are grateful to the Beaches Negril team for accommodating us.”

She said that not many organisations are able to facilitate a large group at once, therefore sometimes, not all the students get the chance to see first-hand what happens in the working world.

“We are pleased that there are businesses that have young people’s best interest at heart, regardless of their background or position,” she noted.

According to Kendra Johnson, regional public relations manager for Sandals, Beaches and Grand Pineapple Negril, this activity was a natural fit.

“The theme for this year’s World Tourism Day — Tourism and Community Development — speaks to empowering people with the relevant skills needed to effect change in their community, so Sandals Resorts saw this as the perfect opportunity to impact these young people through tourism and provide an avenue for them to not only learn something new, but also enjoy themselves in the process,” Johnson said.

She noted that other students from the centre will be accommodated for a similar activity at a later time.

“Some of them have even expressed an interest in signing up for our Hospitality Training Programme to receive further exposure in the tourism industry; so we believe it’s a partnership that will continue to reap many rewards for the students in the long run,” Johnson added.

World Tourism Day, celebrated every year on September 27, is a global observance to highlight tourism’s social, cultural, political and economic value. This year’s celebration focused on engaging local populations in tourism development to build stronger and more resilient communities.

At the end of the training sessions, the students were given a tour of Beaches Negril Resort and Spa, then treated to lunch at the resort’s main buffet restaurant.