WHITEHOUSE, Westmoreland

Whitehouse recently staged a successful Career Day and Expo which attracted scores of high school students from six schools across the central and western sections of the island.

The event, conceptualised by Sandals’ Management Trainee Ryan Green and the public relations department, saw the students interacting with a host of hospitality professionals and receiving first hand information on the educational and employment opportunities directly and indirectly related to the industry.

Attendees from Clarendon College, Christiana High, St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS), Roger Clarke High, Belmont Academy, and New Hope Primary and Junior High were able to network with representatives from the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), who shared details on tourism product and the history of tourism in Jamaica. They were also exposed to educational opportunities available at The University College of the Caribbean, The Swiss Education Group, Heart Trust/NTA, and Sandals Corporate University.

Also sharing opportunities within the job market were Sandals’ sister company, Island Routes Caribbean Adventure Tours, and various departments within the resort, namely: training and development, environment health and safety, public relations, elite services, housekeeping, bar, kitchen (pastry decorating, fruit carvings and food preparation), sales, the aqua centre and the Red Lane Spa.

Also on board to provide treats was Caribbean Producers of Jamaica. The Red Lane Spa also provided head, neck and shoulder massages to the attendees, while many received gift packages courtesy of the Sandals Foundation, the resort shop and the loyalty and travel desk at the resort.

Teachers, students and presenters alike lauded Sandals Whitehouse for staging such an important event and opening the resort to schools, including those outside of major tourism centres in Jamaica.

“Sandals offered an interesting event, engaging young minds, showing them the endless possibilities in tourism. Kudos to the organisers; a job well done,” shared JTB’s Country Sales Manager Marjorie Cunningham.

Harane Samuels, teacher at STETHS, said, “The function was very informative and educational for the students. They have garnered a wealth of information that will assist in positioning them towards a brighter future, thus brightening the prospects for our tourism product.”

Christiana High student Krisann Tomlinson described the event as an eye-opener.

“I really needed this expo. I did not know the industry had so many opportunities and that Sandals had so many programmes for staff development. The expo opened my eyes to all the possibilities, from educational prospects to jobs, both directly and indirectly related to the hospitality sector. I speak on behalf of my school when I say all that I learnt today made up for the long journey we took this morning.”

According to Green and the resort’s Public Relations Manager Jervene Simpson, the event underscored the need to promote awareness of the importance of the tourism industry to the country’s economy.

“The tourism industry continues to make strides in benefitting the Jamaican economy, and there is a need to promote awareness to ensure we have a flexible pool of service professionals to maintain the high standards and ensure that the industry continues to grow and improve. Hosting these schools and students was a great avenue to share details on the careers and training opportunities available to them and spark their interest in various hospitality professions,” they explained.