Monroe College celebrated the launch of the new International Hospitality Training Institute on Oct. 19. The initiative is a partnership between the college and the National Apprenticeship Program and is geared at preparing residents for entry-level travel and tourism jobs.

“We have selected the right people to run this program because Monroe College really believes in practitioners teaching the classes,” said Dr. Alex Ephrem, Monroe College Senior Vice President. “We don’t believe in theoretical education; we believe in practical education. So the people whom we have selected are people who have worked in the industry for several years. They will bring practical application to you so that you will go and perform and make more money than what they are making today.”

President of the Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association (SLHTA), Karolin Troubetzkoy, highlighted the launch as a move in the right direction in equipping the people of Saint Lucia with the requisite skills of the sector.

“The partnership between Monroe College and the Saint Lucia Government is an excellent example of how collaboration between private and public sector interests can unlock excellent new opportunities for our young people,” she said. “When we speak of opportunity we don’t only refer to employment in the industry but the opportunity of unlocking and developing a spirit of entrepreneurship among our young people.”

Andreus Jn. Pierre is currently enrolled in the Bartending Program.

“I see this as an opportunity to enhance my education especially in this field,” he said. “It is a great initiative by the government and also by Monroe College to empower us youth to educate ourselves to better serve the community and, by extension, the world.”

The International Hospitality Training Institute is located in Vieux Fort.