Graduates of tourism training honoured
They form part of the burgeoning labour force of Belize’s biggest industry, and over the last year they’ve spent the time and money to improve their skills and talents. Today News 5’s Patrick Jones joined these graduates for some much deserved recognition.
Patrick Jones, Reporting
The informal ceremony marked the graduation of close to sixty men and women who sought career improvement in the tourism sector. The graduates took part in seven internationally certified courses last year, including food safety and handling, food preparation and presentation, energy conservation and accounting courses. Director of the Tourism Training Unit, Vincent Palacio, says training is important to the individuals and the nation.
Vincent Palacio, Director, Tourism Training Unit
?So it was often very intense. So a lot of skills were transferred. Also to get the international recognition. Like I mentioned when somebody presents a certificate from HACCP programme, this is the same courts hat they do all over the world. So it brings that credibility, to our human resources being certified regionally and internationally.?
Chairman of Belize Tourism Board Therese Rath congratulated the graduates on their achievements, saying that the standards of service and profitability of Belize?s rapidly developing tourism industry are being consistently raised.
Therese Rath, Chairman, Belize Tourism Board
?An occasion such as this also publicly recognizes the efforts at self improvement by you the participants with the support of your employers. But most importantly, today?s gathering presents an opportunity to reinforce the vital importance of increased, improved and intensified training of Belizeans if we are to fulfil the tourism objective of growing and developing a sustainable tourism industry for the benefit of Belizeans.?
And the beneficiaries of the training courses say they are grateful for the opportunity they received to further their career goals.
Delvorine Banner, Chef/Supervisor, Radisson
?It was good for me and very interesting because first time I did the course. And then it will help me a lot in the kitchen because I can lead my staff and then show them what to do about the HACCP training and everything, and how should we tend to food and stuff that our guests don?t get the food borne illnesses. So it?s very good for me and I learned a lot.?
Patrick Jones
?So this will help you overall in your work at San Ignacio hotel??
Consuelo Beltran, Cook, San Ignacio Resort Hotel
?Yes, I have nine years I work with San Ignacio Resort hotel, and I proud of it. I learn lots of things. And I wish they have more courses so I could take them because I like learn. Everyday you learn something more, and I like being involved in teaching and learning and so.?
Pamela Roberts Wagner, Food & Beverage Manager, Radisson
?For me it?s very challenging and at the Radisson it ensure the public that they can be safe dining with us knowing that we care, that our management, our ownership takes that effort to send all out staff.?
Vincent Palacio
?I also think that this will make our life easier at BTB to marketing this destination. A key factor is building capacity in our human resources, the people. And by certifying then nationally and internationally, that helps us quite a bit. People will want to come back, and that is what we want.?
Patrick Jones, for News 5.
The certificates were handed out by Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism Rodwell Fergusson.
