Tourism trainees get to work

Some 34 new students who started on the Tourism Apprenticeship Training Programme (TATP) last Tuesday, 2 September were formally welcomed by the Minister of Tourism, Charles Clifford, during an orientation session at the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort. "This is a big step for many of the apprentices,” said Clifford.

“The Tourism Apprenticeship Training Programme will provide all successful students with an internationally-recognized CARIBCERT qualification as well as a certificate in Hospitality Studies. Both of these provide a solid foundation for the apprentices, whether they decide to jump right into the workforce or further their education locally or abroad,” added the minister.

This year, three areas of study are being offered to the students -: Food and Beverage Operations, Food Preparation Operations and Front Office Operations. Of the 34 apprentices 14 have enrolled for Front Office Operations, 9 in Food and Beverage and the remaining 11 in Food Preparation Operations.

During orientation the students were given more insight into the TATP and what to expect by various speakers from the organisations involved and during lunch the young trainees had the opportunity to mingle, and chat with various tourism industry partners,past apprentices and TATP council members.

 The Ministry of Tourism’s Tourism Apprenticeship Training Programme (TATP) is designed to create a cadre of Caymanian hospitality professionals in occupations traditionally under-represented by Caymanians but with respectable compensation levels and career potential. Based on the philosophy of learning by doing, the TATP provides participants with vocational skills and combines on-the-job training with classroom learning. The TATP is a full-time programme lasting 38 weeks and successful students will walk away with the recognized CARIBCERT Certification.  The TATP is predominantly aimed at high school seniors and graduates interested in tourism/hospitality, as well as workers in the industry trying to advance their career; however, any Caymanians interested in working their way up in the hospitality industry are invited to apply. For more information about the Tourism Apprenticeship Programme, please contact the Department of Tourism at 949-0623 or visit www.caymanislands.ky