marketplace
KEMPINSKI GRAND & IXIR HOTEL BAHRAIN CITY CENTRE
Grooming Bahraini Hospitality Talent This luxurious five-star hotel focuses on’giving back to the island’ by training the youth of Bahrain in hospitality and hotelier skills.
138 June 2014
Kempinski Grand & Ixir Hotel Bahrain City Centre embarked on an innovative initiative for Bahrain’s hospitality sector in January, with the support of Tamkeen and Third Wave International (TWI). The Grooming Bahraini Hospitality Talent programme was established to empower young Bahrainis with world-class training in hospitality and provide them with employment at a globally reputed hotel group. The students were recruited at a two-day road show event in Bahrain City Centre. Following a robust interview process, which employed unique concepts including an ‘experiential interview’, chosen candidates were provided with international standard training. A total of 23 young Bahraini candidates participated in the programme. “We’re excited to be part of this pilot project to recruit and train Bahrainis into the growing field of hospitality in the Kingdom,” says Puneet Singh, general manager, Kempinski Grand & Ixir Hotel Bahrain City Centre. “At Kempinski, we have been dedicated to attracting, guiding and supporting the professional growth of our Bahraini employees. As Europe’s oldest hospitality group, we have a wealth of knowledge to share, developed over the 117
years that we have been in operation.” Kempinski currently operates in 31 countries and has a total workforce of over 30,000 employees. For young Bahrainis interested in hospitality, there has been no better stepping stone than this programme to begin their career. “We’re thrilled to bring the training to a successful conclusion and provide Bahrain’s hospitality market with professional hoteliers ready to climb the career ladder,” he adds. In addition, William Angliss, an Australian institute ranked among the top five hotel management schools in the world, has provided training to the students. The apprentices received tutoring in both classroom and practical settings. On-the-job coaching was carried out with dedicated Kempinski mentors for each student. On June 12, the students will graduate and receive their certificates in a plush graduation ceremony at the Kempinski Grand & Ixir Hotel Bahrain City Centre. Graduates will begin working in departments such as culinary, front office, food and beverage, and housekeeping. i Visit www.kempinski.com/Bahrain. www.bahrainthismonth.com