Minor Hotel Group Acknowledges Graduates of Explorer School Leaver Programme

Minor Hotel Group is proud to announce the class of 2014/15 Explorer programme, with eight students celebrating their vocational success. The programme is the first of its kind in the Maldives to give school leavers on the job training with an internationally recognized accreditation.

Since the Explorer programme launched in June 2014, the students have progressed through various learning challenges across the operational departments at Anantara Dhigu, Anantara Veli and Naladhu in South Malé Atoll on a twelve month curriculum following a 70/20/10 format; 70% on the job learning, 20% social learning, and 10% online formal classroom group training. The modern and technically progressive Explorer School Leaver programme highlights MHG as a pioneering employer in the ASEAN region within vocational education that addresses the needs of the millennial generation.

In this first year, eight out of the initial 13 Explorers graduated with a Certificate III in Hospitality which is a recognised qualification within the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), leaders in the field of vocational education. The qualification also provides the foundation for continued learning to progress towards a Certificate IV, and ultimately a Diploma in Hospitality. A number of the graduates have already expressed an interest for ongoing studies.

Acknowledging the achievements of the Explorer graduates, Chief People Officer of MHG, Caroline Stevens commented at the graduation ceremony, “We started with 13 Explorers a year ago, and celebrate the success of eight Explorers today. To me, that expresses a programme that is serious, thorough, hard work and demanding of commitment from both the student to challenge themselves, and also from our side as an employer to test, nurture and guide the students in the right direction. To succeed, this requires grit and determination. These eight young minds have shown they have true perseverance, passion and dedication. They stand here today as an honor to their generation and the success of the programme initiated a year ago.”

The Explorer graduates were presented with their certifications by CEO of Minor Hotel Group, Dillip Rajakarier, in Malé, before representatives of MHG, the Maldives Government Minister of Education, family and friends from across the island nation. Addressing the graduating students, Dillip Rajakarier thanked them for choosing to follow their career path with MHG, and the parents for placing their trust in the company. “Today we once again mark this exciting milestone for Minor Hotel Group as we congratulate our workplace coaches on outstanding achievements as trainers, and extend a warm welcome to graduate trainees who not only join our teams as accredited employees, but have set a high standard for others to follow in their footsteps. Their accomplishments over the last 12 months stand testament that together we can forge a future for young people in the Maldives, one that they may never have dreamed possible. A career that allows them to grow, develop their skills, to travel, and share learnings along the way.”

At the graduation ceremony, the Explorer Programme also welcomed 24 new enrollments for this year, two of which are siblings from current MHG employees, and also the brother of an Explorer Graduate this year, Ahmed Eaman, demonstrating a clear internal endorsement for the course. For its successive year, the Explorer Programme has been extended to all six of Minor Hotel Group resorts in the Maldives, with placements at Anantara Kihavah and across the PER AQUUM resorts of Niyama and Huvafen Fushi.

Commenting on his achievement, Explorer Graduate Ahmed Eaman says, “I was assigned to the Food and Beverage service. In my year of training as a food attendant, I have learned about the objective and philosophy of management, organizational set up, facilities and services, menu planning and analysis, restaurant operations, food and beverage control, purchasing, receiving, storing and inventory. Anantara Dhigu is one of the most highly respected resorts in Maldives and the people in my team were helpful and supportive. The restaurant managers and team members shared and assisted me in every particular step I needed to learn and develop. Every single day I have applied all my learnings to become more productive, confident, fulfilled, happier and, ultimately, learn how to work better as a team.”

Minor Hotel Group (MHG) is a hotel owner, operator and investor, currently with a portfolio of 133 hotels, resorts, camps and serviced suites in operation under the Anantara, AVANI, Per AQUUM, Oaks, Tivoli, Elewana, Marriott, Four Seasons, St. Regis and Minor International brands. Today MHG operates in 22 countries across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, the Indian Ocean, Europe and South America. With ambitious plans to grow the hotel group to 190 properties, MHG continues to expand the home grown brands of Anantara and AVANI, plus continues to announce strategic acquisitions. For more information, please visit www.minorinternational.com.