ABHTI STUDENT TOPS SANDALS HOSPITALITY TRAINING PROGRAMM

Sandals Grande Antigua Resort and Spa recently concluded its third
cycle of the annual Hospitality Training Programme (HTP) with 25 trainees successfully
obtaining their certificates of completion. .
Hospitality Management student enrolled at the Antigua and Barbuda Hospitality Training
Institute (ABHTI), Tracy Ann Peck, was recognized as the top participant in this recent cohort.
Peck, who was attached primarily to the communications division also trained in the
housekeeping and cost control departments during her 10-week stint at the resort.
“Tracy Ann was a pleasure to work with and her general disposition and attitude towards her
work assignments were nothing short of an experienced professional. She was meticulous in her
duties and driven, despite challenging situations from time to time,” shared Sandals Public
Relations Manager Leon Norville.
Reflecting on the programme Tracy Ann shared, “I am very grateful to my school and Sandals
for the opportunity to learn more about the hospitality industry from a practical point of view. It
was a very eye-opening experience and I was able to learn a lot about team member relations, the
company’s internal communication procedures and I even had the opportunity to be involved in
the project management side of the Sandals Foundation.”
Other trainees who received special tokens and prizes during this cohort included Lawrence
Clarke Jr. and Kemet Morson.
The Sandals Hospitality Training Programme, now in its 15th year has afforded approximately
1,600 young Antiguans the opportunity to sharpen their skills in the tourism industry through indepth training at the region’s largest hotel chain.
During the 10-week programme, trainees are assigned to departments across the resort where
they are coached by a departmental trainer to learn its operations.
The personalized approach ensures that trainees are exposed to the company’s highest standards
and best practices in various areas such as guest relations, housekeeping, food and beverage,
accounting, cost control, public relations, front office, club sandals concierge, sales, engineering
and watersports.
In addition to departmental exposure, trainees are engaged in weekly life skills sessions that
cover a variety of personal development areas, including public speaking, financial management,
leadership and decision-making, resume writing among others.