The Patina Maldives resort in Fari Islands has welcomed the first students of its Vocational Education and Training (VET) centre developed in partnership Switzerland’s Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL), one of the most prestigious hotel schools in the world.
With fully sponsored tuition fees and course materials, 14 students were chosen for the inaugural course with content developed in Switzerland. Upon completion of three-year courses, the resort workers will earn internationally recognised diplomas signed and issued by the EHL
“We are delighted to be spearheading this initiative, which is the first of its kind, bringing internationally accredited hotel and hospitality training to the Maldives,” said Mohamed Rasheed, Director of HR at Patina Maldives. “True to the spirit of Patina and the Fari Islands, the pioneering scheme aims to bring a fresh approach to resourcing, training and HR, and to nurturing young talent on the ground in the Maldives. Together with EHL, we are committed to providing an enriching pathway to success for those who wish to rise to their full potential in hospitality management.”
Training is delivered by EHL-accredited department managers and department supervisors. The modular course curriculum blends ‘on the job’ training with classroom learning and assessments, according to Patina. Pathways on offer in the 2022/23 academic year include a six-month Foundation Module in Food & Beverage Service and Hotel Foundation Certificate, which would be followed by a further two six-month modules, Intermediate and Advanced, before students graduate with a Professional Diploma. The total duration of the Diploma programme is three years as courses are taken from May to October.
The scheme will be opened to all Maldivian nationals in the final phase once the programme is fully established.
For 2023, the resort plans to add further diploma programmes programme in Culinary, Rooms Division, F&B Service, Hotel Administration and Hotel Communications. A total intake of 30 students per cohort will be invited from the Fari Islands properties, which also includes the Ritz Carlton Maldives and The Capella hotel, which is scheduled to open in 2025 in the four-island cluster.
One of the islands is dedicated entirely to the Fari Campus, “a revolutionary purpose-built mix of staff housing and facilities that seeks to bring a sea-change to employee accommodation and wellbeing in the Maldives.”
