Enid Capron Career Day 2017

Providenciales, TCI, February 22, 2017 – Nearly 600 students took part in the 2^nd annual Career Day extravaganza at Enid Capron Primary, an event that gives  local students a chance to explore the facets of different jobs that are available in the tourism industry.

Recognizing the immediate needs, Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort and Spa partnered with the Sandals Foundation sponsored primary school for a second year to promote careers in tourism and hospitality during career day at the Felix Morley Community Center on Thursday, February 9, 2017.

Eleven team members from the Beaches Resort participated in the ECPS career day where they showcased careers in Housekeeping, Culinary Arts and Public Relations with the students learning skills such as table setting and pastry decorations.  Students received practical knowledge on the diverse career options available to them in the tourism sector- the country’s largest and fastest growing industry.

Monique Graham, assistant training and development manager who spearheaded the training exercise said; “The opportunity to introduce our young minds to the hospitality industry is an investment to the islands of the Turks and Caicos as the hospitality mecca of the Caribbean. It ensures that our industry and island remain in demand for years to come. Students being exposed to the diverse career options of the industry serve as a stepping stone for future TCI hoteliers.”

Colin Watson, executive chef for Beaches Turks and Caicos who was accompanied by assistant trainers Fancy Valmir and Berline Gervais, described the career day as an effective avenue to train future hospitality workers, evidenced by several former students who have gone on to hold successful careers in hospitality including Valmir and Gervais who are both trained through the Beaches Internship Programme.

Watson said; “The number one industry in the Turks and Caicos is hospitality so it’s important that from an early age we groom the kids in a direction that they will naturally want to become hoteliers. The earlier we get them; it lets them see the different employment opportunities at an early age.”

 The Turks and Caicos Islands continues on a positive trajectory being one of the fastest growing tourism destinations in the Caribbean. With the island recently boasting of a 17.5% increase in arrivals over the past year, it is becoming increasingly important to ensure that Turks and Caicos Islanders are trained and well-equipped to take on this sector.

A recent Caribbean Tourism Organization report said that the Caribbean had 29 million travelers in 2016, a 4.2% increase in travelers compared to previous years.  The increase shows that there is and will continue to be a great need for hospitality workers. With the hotel currently short of 200 employees, Beaches TCI hopes to garner interest in the hospitality industry at an early age to give our islands an early advantage.

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