The Tribune

Sandals Emerald Bay has exploited the traditional low point in the tourism cycle to fully engage its Hospitality Training Programme (HTP), taking on 18 additional team members.

Jeremy Mutton, the resort’s general manager, said it wanted to train persons whose skills can be developed before occupancy levels begin to climb again in the busy season.

He added that the resort’s Caf� de Paris, one of its newest additions, was fully staffed by HTP graduates, who exceeded the expectations of the resort’s training personnel.

It is the highest scoring food and beverage outlet at the resort.

“It takes a while to recruit and it takes a while to train,” Mr Mutton said. “You can never just look at today [when hiring]; you have to look forward.”

The newest HTP employees at Sandals Emerald Bay, all of whom were recruited from Nassau, are housed for free and receive a weekly stipend throughout their training.

They have the opportunity for permanent employment after the programme has ended and they receive their certificates.

“At the end of the six weeks of training, if they are successful there will be a guarantee of full-time employment,” said Mr Mutton. “I hope most [of those] people will stay with me.”

Sandals Emerald Bay held its recruitment drive at Sandals Royal Bahamian, receiving more than 50 people who hoped to find permanent employment.

The resort also held a recruitment drive in Exuma last week, and picked up close to 13 more prospective permanent employees.