Marriott International launches second apprenticeship program

Marriott International has launched the second batch of the Marriott International Maldives Apprenticeship Program (MIMAP).

The program was inaugurated at a special ceremony held at Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa on Wednesday.

Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef and Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts Ibrahim Waheed attended the ceremony as guests of honour.

Also present at the ceremony were senior officials of Marriot International including Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific Excluding China (APEC), Neeraj Govil, Chief Operations Officer (APEC), Gautam Bhandari, Senior Vice President, Hotel Development & Operations (APEC), and Mark Fletcher, Area Director of Human Resources, Singapore & Maldives.

"Our People First culture drives everything we do at Marriott International; we are strong advocates for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our commitment to these principles is demonstrated by this program, which ensures equal opportunities for all through access to training, skill development, and employment across various roles within the tourism industry,” said Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific Excluding China (APEC), Marriott International.

MIMAP was launched on May 9, 2023 in partnership with the National Apprenticeship Program (NAP) and implemented through the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts.

With 60 participants joining this second batch, the program provides on the job training together with classroom training from industry experts.

Participants will gain hands on experience from Marriott International's resorts in Maldives including the The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa, W Maldives, Le Meridien Maldives Resort & Spa, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa, and the Westin Maldives Miriandhoo resort.

During its first batch, the MIMAP program has 43 participants. Of these, 37 are now employed full-time at Marriott International resorts across the country.

"The launch of its second-year Apprenticeship Program reaffirms Marriott International Maldives' commitment to nurturing a sustainable pipeline of local talent, further bolstering the growth and prosperity of the country's tourism industry," a statement by the resort said.

"As the first international hospitality brand to collaborate with the government apprenticeship program, Marriot International Maldives continues its commitment to nurturing young Maldivian talent and fostering growth within the hospitality industry."