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49 local youth graduate from Four Seasons Apprenticeship program

Four Seasons Resorts Maldives celebrated 49 graduates of the Four Seasons Resorts Hospitality Apprenticeship program, with 73 new apprentices joining for its 2025 intake.

Malika Shahid
23 June 2024, MVT 17:58
Graduating class of 2024 of the Four Seasons Resorts Maldives Hospitality Apprenticeship Program -- Photo: Four Seasons Resorts Maldives
Malika Shahid
23 June 2024, MVT 17:58

Forty-nine young individuals graduated from the Four Seasons Resorts Maldives Hospitality Apprentice Program on Saturday, June 22.

The program, now in its 23rd year, is one of the longest-running and most successful of its kind in the Indian Ocean territory, having provided a gateway to the hospitality industry for 858 youths since its inception in 2001.

The ceremony, held in Maldives National University (MNU) was graced by Minister of State for Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development, Ahmed Shafeeu.

Commending the graduates for their dedication and hard work, he said, "Your efforts have significantly contributed to the community and will continue to serve the nation. We are incredibly proud of each and every one of you who has bravely taken this up."

"As you embark on a new chapter, I urge you to maximize the invaluable opportunity you have been provided. The tourism and hospitality sector in the Maldives faces shortage in local skills, and your role in bridging this gap is crucial," he added.

Minister of State for Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development, Ahmed Shafeeu speaks during the graduation ceremony -- Photo: Four Seasons Resorts Maldives

The graduates of the apprenticeship class of 2024 specialized in areas including Food and Beverage, Housekeeping and Guest Services, Retail, Front Office, Maritime Transport, Engineering, Diving, and Watersports.

This year's graduating class included the first two graduates of the newly launched Resort Photography course, developed in partnership with Malé-based Digital Studio.

Four Seasons Resorts Maldives also announced a new partnership with French training technology company 360 Learning to further enhance the apprenticeship program.

This collaboration allow for digital content creation, an improved student management system, and a more collaborative, experience-based learning approach, with new digital modules scheduled for rollout later this year.

Armando Kraenzlin, Regional Vice-President and General Manager at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, expressed his pride and encouragement and said "I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the 49 students of the graduating Class of 2024. You’ve shown ambition, energy, and the motivation to make something of yourselves and your talents. To next year’s class, the Class of 2025, we extend a very warm welcome to Four Seasons – and to the Maldives Tourism Industry."

Armado Kraenzlin, Regional Vice President and General Manager of Four Seasons Resorts Maldives speaks during the graduation ceremony -- Photo: Four Seasons Resorts Maldives

During the ceremony, the apprentice class of 2025 was announced. Selected from a competitive pool of 229 applicants across 34 islands in 15 atolls, 79 new apprentices were welcomed for the 2025 intake.

The program, open to locals aged 17-20, requires O-level qualifications and proficiency in English. Apprentices selected for the program live and work onsite at the Four Seasons Resorts Maldives at Kuda Huraa and Landaa Giraavaru.

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