Swiss Hospitality and Banking Institute opens
The Swiss Institute of Hospitality and Banking was launched in Sri
Lanka on Thursday.
This is the first time that hospitality and banking training is
provided in one module and first of its kind to be set up in Sri Lanka.
The first stage of the project will have an investment of US $ 1.1
million.
"Sri Lankans are naturally charming and hospitable people, they
appreciate the human factor, but they haven't been trained in the same
way people in many other countries have and the potential of this
wonderful talent pool is enormous," said CEO of the new operation in Sri
Lanka, Dr. Rohith Delilkhan.
|
A speaker at the launch of the Swiss Hospitality and Banking
Institute. Pic: Vipula Amerasinghe |
"Our intention have been heeded and welcomed by the industry and we
know that we can now provide a significant choice for young people
contemplating on the future, whether to embark on a university education
route or to take the professional pathway," he said.
The Swiss Institute is backed by several organisations in
Switzerland. The Swiss Hospitality Academy in Lucerne, the BBZ Academy
of Banking from St. Gallen, the heartland of education in Switzerland,
the consultancies Business Aligned Services and Solutions AG and
Chancental Works GmbH.
The initial program portfolio consists of a major Train-the-Trainer
program for hospitality and banking professionals in Sri Lanka to become
certified Swiss standard trainers.
This will be followed by a complete range of certification courses in
hospitality from housekeeping to kitchen training leading to a full
diploma in hospitality.
On the banking front the institute will bring the first client
advisor certification programs modeled after the Swiss and Singapore
competency standards for the financial industry.
The programs will commence next month and by the year end 1,300
students will be enrolled.
By the end of 2017, over 3,000 will have completed programs, within
five years the annual intake will be 10,000.
By then a residential campus and budget hotel where hospitality
students will be able to practice will be in operation.
There will also be a mobile training unit bringing programs to
communities across the country from next year.
- SJ
|
