Marriott International has launched the third cohort of its Maldives Apprenticeship Program (MIMAP), welcoming 73 apprentices during a ceremony held on July 13 at Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa.
The event was attended by Hon. Mohamed Aseel, Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information, and Arts, along with senior Marriott leaders and partners from the Maldives Institute of Technology (MIT). Minister Aseel praised MIMAP as a model of public-private collaboration to empower Maldivian youth.
MIMAP is a 10-month program launched in 2023, offering hands-on hospitality training across Marriott resorts in partnership with the Ministry of Youth and MIT. Apprentices earn a nationally recognized Level 3 certification through on-the-job and classroom training.
Oriol Montal, Regional VP, Luxury, APEC, Marriott International, emphasized the record number of apprentices reflects the program’s growing impact. To this date, 74 participants have graduated, with 16 now working full-time at Marriott resorts.
Representing the new cohort, apprentice Ahmed Maaris Rasheed called the program “a gateway to new beginnings and real opportunities,” thanking Marriott and its partners “for giving us the chance to dream bigger.”
MIMAP has been recognized as ‘Training and Development Programme of the Year’ at the Hotelier Maldives Awards in 2024, highlighting its lasting impact and industry recognition. Another Marriott Program, Marriott International Kurimagu Leadership Program, received the honour in 2025.
The initiative is part of Marriott’s TakeCare CSR program and reinforces the company’s commitment to building local talent and supporting the Maldives' tourism sector.
