Fushifaru Maldives hosted five students pursuing studies in travel and tourism at the LHAEC (Lhaviyani Atoll Eduation Center) to experience work at the property last Saturday. They were attached to resort staff in various departments including F&B, housekeeping, business development and front office.
The students were welcomed by the general manager Mr Ahmed Siaar and the management team before being taken to their day-use rooms. They were present at the management morning briefing and introduced to resort management. Following this, they spent four hours working at their assigned departments. The students were also given a tour of the resort after lunch at the staff canteen.
They were also part of a small training session on leadership, skills and emotional intelligence. The training was a highlight of the event.
“We find it saddening that many students go to Male’ in the hopes of getting higher education without knowing the career path they want,” says Fushifaru Maldives’s training manager Haanif Abdullah. “They don’t realise that there are career opportunities close by their home islands.”
A parent and a teacher also accompanied the students on the island.
“We want to have events like this to break stereotypes as parents tend to view resort life with some scepticism,” explains Haanif. “In fact, it takes discipline and good manners to thrive in a resort environment. And it’s absolutely safe for local female workers, which is something we emphasised.”
The resort conducted this event as part of its ongoing CSR programme. “Having impactful, long-term CSR activities comprise a key element of our management commitment,” says Haanif. “They’re part of our GM Ahmed Siaar’s long-term plans for rural development and giving back to the community. We want to set an example for other properties.”