Group General Manager, Continental Hotels, Karl Hala; Immediate past Minister of Information, Culture & Tourism, Lai Mohammed; Audit Manager, 11 Plc, Wilboard Nwosu, and Director of Rooms, Lagos Continental Hotel, Cuthberga Onuoha at an interactive session with UNILAG students on hospitality industry career prospects held at UNILAG, Akoka, Lagos.
…Begins with career initiative among UNILAG students
Continental Hotels Group has commenced a partnership with The University of Lagos (UNILAG) to develop a training program tailored to address the specific needs of the industry.
This initiative, championed by Mr. Ramesh Kansagra, Chairman of Continental Hotels Group, aims to enhance the skill set of Nigeria’s hospitality workforce through a comprehensive Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project.
The Continental Hotel Training Academy is set to revolutionize the hospitality sector by addressing the critical skill gaps within the industry.
This ambitious project kicked off in collaboration with the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and is poised to extend its reach to other esteemed institutions across the country over time.
The Continental Hotels Training Academy, according to Kansagra, is founded on several key objectives, including bridging the skill gap by addressing the current shortage of skilled manpower in Nigeria’s hospitality sector
Mr. Kansagra outlined the academy’s plan to commence operations with a series of short courses in hospitality management, offered in collaboration with UNILAG.
He highlighted key features of the training academy, including admissions and onboarding, stating that the academy will admit students on a rolling basis.
“All courses will be fully funded under the CSR initiative, and will be taught by hospitality management professionals with global experience and university lecturers,” he said.
“The curriculum will include practical exposure at Continental Hotels and other 5-star establishments, and certificates will be jointly issued by UNILAG and the Continental Hotels Hospitality Training Academy. Exceptional students will be offered job opportunities within the industry.”
“This involves career awareness campaigns, educating students about the career progression opportunities in hospitality management, and working with educational institutions to inform and guide students about potential career paths in the hospitality sector,” Mr Kansagra explained.
To further embed hospitality management into the education system, the academy plans to collaborate with higher institutions interested in establishing dedicated hospitality management departments.
“This initiative aims to ensure that the educational infrastructure supports the continuous development of skilled professionals for the industry,” Mr Kansagra noted
UNILAG Deputy Vice Chancellor ( Developmental Services ) ,Prof Ayodele Atsenuwa thanked the management of Continental Hotels for the unparalleled opportunity to the students as well as veritable avenue to raise future ready graduates for the Nigerian economy .
According to her, the academy would avail the spectrum of opportunities in the hospitality industry even as the university awaits its eventual unfolding of the corporate social investment of the Continental Hotels Group .
In his address titled ” Investment Opportunities in the Creative Industry in Nigeria ” the immediate minister of Information, Culture & Tourism ,Alhaji Lai Mohammed affirmed that there are lots of avenues for investors to excel in the industry .
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