Male’, Maldives, 20th March 2024 – Marriott International Maldives commemorated a significant milestone on March 16, 2024, as it held the graduation ceremony for its first intake of apprentices under the Marriott International Maldives Apprenticeship Program. The event took place at the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa and was attended by the esteemed Honorable Ibrahim Waheed, Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information, and Arts, alongside key representatives from Marriott International.
The Marriott International Maldives Apprenticeship Program, established in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Community Empowerment and the Maldives Institute of Technology (MIT), was launched as a pilot initiative on May 9, 2023. This partnership marked a significant milestone, with Marriott International becoming the first international hospitality brand to engage with the government’s apprenticeship program.
Under the program, MIT provided the theoretical curriculum, while participants gained practical experience across various disciplines at Marriott International’s esteemed portfolio of resorts in the Maldives. These included renowned properties such as The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa, W Maldives, Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa, and The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort.
The graduation ceremony celebrated the achievements of the inaugural class, consisting of 43 young apprentices who successfully completed the rigorous 10-month program. They were awarded the Maldives Qualification Authority (MQA) approved level-3 certification, signifying their proficiency in their respective disciplines. The program aims to identify and nurture local talent, promoting their inclusion in the Maldivian hospitality market as part of Marriott International’s Take Care initiative in Corporate Social Responsibility. Additionally, it seeks to empower marginalized Maldivian youth by equipping them with essential skills for success in the thriving tourism industry.
Honorable Ibrahim Waheed commended the program’s dedication to fostering youth talent in the hospitality industry. Gautam Bhandari, Senior Vice President of Hotel Development & Operations, and Mark Fletcher, Area Director of Human Resources for Singapore & Maldives at Marriott International, delivered inspiring speeches, emphasizing the significance of the partnership between Marriott International and the Maldivian government in promoting youth empowerment and professional development.
Gautam Bhandari stated, “The Marriott International Maldives Apprenticeship Program reflects our commitment to nurturing local talent and equipping them with the skills to excel in the Maldives’ thriving tourism industry.” He further added, “A number of graduates have been offered positions, and it brings us great joy to see them join the Marriott family. Their Marriott experience is poised to be rewarding and instrumental in supporting their career aspirations.”
The graduation ceremony marks a pivotal step towards building a successful pipeline of local talent in the Maldives, contributing to the growth and sustainability of the country’s tourism industry. Marriott International expresses its anticipation for the continued success and development of the program’s graduates as they embark on promising careers in the hospitality sector.
