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Mövenpick, UNICEF to provide hospitality training for Maldives youth

Nafaahath Ibrahim
23 October 2019, MVT 10:53
Mövenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives signs an agreement with the UNICEF. PHOTO: MOVENPICK RESORT KUREDHIVARU MALDIVES
Nafaahath Ibrahim
23 October 2019, MVT 10:53

Mövenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives and United Nation's Children's Fund (UNICEF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on October 6.

The agreement aims to advocate for children’s rights and support skill development and foster career-exploration in the hospitality industry for the Maldivian youth.

UNICEF Representative to the Maldives Munir Safieldin signed the agreement while General Manager Maciej Gruszecki represented Mövenpick Maldives.

In addition to the resort's management team, members of Noonu Atoll Council and Manadhoo School's principal were present at the ceremony.

As per the agreement, UNICEF will identify suitable candidates to learn from hands-on experience within a six-month vocational training or a 12-month paid apprenticeship program hosted at Mövenpick resort.

According to Mövenpick, candidates will work in various departments of the resort including Front Office, Housekeeping, Food & Beverages and the Culinary brigade. They will be mentored by the department heads and will have access to training modules to enhance their experience.

At the end of their training , a graduation ceremony will mark the completion of the internship and apprenticeship programs. Additionally, based on performance, there are opportunities for students to take on permanent posts at the resort.

The resort's GM stated that they are privileged to partner with UNICEF to assist local youth to shape their future.

“As part of a global leading hospitality group, we feel strongly about our obligation to contribute to the growth and in development of our local community. Sharing our time and expertise by opening our doors to youths wishing to pursue a career in the tourism industry is something that we believe will have a very positive impact”.

Dr Munir noted that although the tourism sector is one of the key contributor to the local economy in Maldives, only a few local youth are employed in the sector.

"This sector has the potential to absorb many young Maldivian men and women searching for jobs. The partnership between UNICEF and the Mövenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives aims to equip young Maldivians with the skills and work experience required for valuable jobs in the sector”.

As part of the collaboration, both parties will jointly advocate for child rights though public events to mark important occasions such as World Children’s Day, International Youth Day and World Water Day, in the islands of Noonu atoll together with local communities.

Furthermore, the resort and NGO are also setting out to provide safe drinking water and reading materials to selected schools in the Atoll. To ensure clean drinking water and promotion of environmentally friendly practices, water filters and reusable water bottles will be provided.

Mövenpick noted that this marked the first time a resort in Maldives is collaborating with UNICEF to provide opportunities for local youth to gain skills, experience and improve their employability in the tourism industry.

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