TCI: New Training Center opened by Hotel & Tourism Association

#Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Wednesday July 18, 2018 – A training center which caters to the hospitality workers of the Turks and Caicos is now opened and introduces, sharpens  and upgrades various skills; it is an initiative by the country’s Hotel and Tourism Association.  

With a mixture of short drop–in learning sessions, scheduled short courses, tailored industry training and employability courses; the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association or TCHTA’s new Training Center aims to  match the level of service provided on the island to the level of developments which are  coming into the island.

The Association launched its new Training Center in mid-June with the help of country leaders, including Governor His Excellency, Dr. John Freeman.  The project was dubbed, ‘the baby’ of Stacy Cox, TCHTA CEO, who with a jubilant crowd and packed balcony at the Salt Mills Plaza office, cut the ribbon to signal the official opening.

“This is just the first step when it comes to training through the TCHTA. In the next year or so we have another project that we will bring to you in relation to education and we look forward to your support in that as well,” said Mrs. Cox, who thanked her team and the Executive Board for backing her in the project.

“Whenever there is a crazy idea, there are always crazier people who are willing to execute it and for that I want to say thank you.”

The TCHTA also announced its partnership with the American Lodging Association in the startup of the Training Center; Mrs. Cox shared that the objective is not limited to training the hospitality workforce, but also focused on advancing the culture as it relates to service excellence.

President of the Hotel and Tourism Association, Nikheel  Advani reiterated the fact that the training is here for sharpening one’s skill in the industry. An industry, he reminded, which accounts for 80 percent of the Turks and Caicos economy.  Advani pointed out that one does not have to work directly in the tourism sector to understand its value to everyone.

“…as we know; today tourism makes up to 80 % of either direct or indirect percentage of our GDP.  This tells us that this is one of the most important industries and everybody is a part of this.  If you are a Taxi Driver if you work in Immigration If you are a Server if you are a Chef Everyone of you is involved in Tourism.”

Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education, Wesley Clerveaux brought remarks at the opening and pledged the Ministry’s support and congratulated the TCHTA on the move.

“Ongoing studies is key in maintaining a sustainable development and to keep ourselves in peak performance as a tourism destination.”     

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Tourism, Hon Ralph Higgs was Permanent Secretary, Sheryl-Anne Jones who said that the Ministry believes education is a critical part of developing the sector and congratulated Stacy Cox and her team on the opening of the Center.

Governor H.E, Dr. John Freeman, who cut the ribbon with TCHTA executives was also grateful and addressed the importance of fine tuning service standards.

“…the identification and the development of people who can contribute is a crucial way forward; and this Center offers a chance in making a real difference, in terms of bringing along the quality and the professionalism of people in these islands.”

The Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association Training Center is managed by Peak Professional and is already offering courses in Front Office Essentials For the Service Industry; Customer Service Basics For the Service Industry; Business Writing; Exceeding Customer Expectations in the Service Industry; Attitude 101; Front Desk First Impressions; First Aid Training – Beginners & Recertification and Know Your TCI.

The TCHTA Training Center is located at the Association’s office at Salt Mills Plaza in Grace Bay, Providenciales; classes run during weekdays.

Story by Jean Sagesse