NDB Bank enhances hospitality trade

Twenty-three students who received training under the NDB 'Jeevana' Livelihood Development Scheme graduated recently in Colombo.

They passed out after following a comprehensive training course in Hotel Operations, conducted in association with the International Hotel School, Mt. Lavinia Hotel.

This is the second batch from the East Coast to graduate in Hotel Operations.

The newly passed out batch of 23 students with CEO of NDB Bank Russell de Mel and Mahendra Hulangamuwa, the Principal of the International Hotel School of Mount Lavinia Hotel.

The NDB 'Jeevana' livelihood program provides a six-month comprehensive training course, covering four months of theory followed by two months of practical training in the selected vocation in partnership with industry leaders of the field. In the case of Hotel Operations, all candidates are provided with on-the-job training at star class hotels while in the case of motor mechanism, practical training is provided by the partnering organisation, DIMO itself.

Speaking at the passing out ceremony, Chief Executive Officer of NDB Bank, Russell de Mel said, "We have recognised the advent of economic proliferation in the East Coast in Sri Lanka and have become an integral part of the development process by empowering youth in the area to take on the demands of growing opportunities in tourism.

We have identified a wealth of talent among youth in Sri Lanka through this program.

This initiative will identify, foster and nurture talent among youth who are the future leaders and this is our contribution to Emerging Sri Lanka", De Mel said.

Initiated in September 2010 three batches of youth have graduated in the Livelihood Development Program.

Two were from the East Coast in Hotel Operations and one was from the North in Motor Mechanism.

The program has spread to the South too, with the fourth batch also in Hotel Operations now in progress.

Principal, International Hotel School of Mount Lavinia Hotel Mahendra Hulangamuwa said, "It is with immense pleasure we hold this passing out ceremony for the second batch in Trincomalee.

Today the tourism industry in Sri Lanka is booming and the International Hotel School makes every endeavour to impart knowledge and aims at strengthening students experience by providing them with opportunities for immediate employment which is an urgent requirement in the hospitality industry.