One hundred youth aged 18-26 were awarded the opportunity to participate in the Skills for Youth program launched on 1 and 2 October at Cinnamon Bey Beruwala and Cinnamon Lodge Habarana respectively. The initiative was spearheaded by Cinnamon resorts in partnership with CARE International Sri Lanka and the John Keells Foundation. The participants were handpicked from the regions of Habarana, Polonnaruwa and Kalutara for the opportunity to develop transferable skills in a practical environment. They were screened based on attitude, education and personality.

The curriculum includes rigorous training and skill development in three disciplines of hospitality; kitchen, housekeeping and food and beverage services. Conducted in English over a period of 6 months, the program guarantees a holistic and engaging learning in hospitality services that will equip them with competencies beneficial for employment.

The Skills for Youth program is fully subsidised by Cinnamon resorts and will offer an engaging in-house training experience to this year’s assembly of participants. The program has proven to be successful, with the added advantage of trainees being offered employment opportunities within the Cinnamon chain and the tourism industry. “We encourage young people to take advantage of this valuable opportunity presented through this exciting platform to develop their skills and use it to their advantage. We also recognise that in order for us to shape the envisioned future of tomorrow, we need to develop the greatest asset we have today, the youth of our nation. The responsibility lies in our hands to facilitate learning, and offer them a stepping stone to embark on a journey that otherwise would not be possible. We intend to continue this program so that more opportunities could be created for the youth of our nation,” said Ishara Naufal, Head of Human Resources at Cinnamon Resorts. The Skills for Youth program emerged as a result of the rapid increase in hospitality establishments and accommodation facilities to cater to the steadily increasing tourist arrivals to the country.

Sri Lanka is forecasted to achieve a target number of 2.5 million tourists by 2016. These figures imply the necessity for action to procure and preserve the skilled workforce in Sri Lanka.