[dropcap]S[/dropcap]ix Saint Lucians travelled last week to the Republic of China (Taiwan) where, for the next ten weeks, they will undergo hospitality training. The fortunate students are Nadine Khodra-Jn Baptiste, Veronica Felix, Trudy Everiste, Shervon Emmanuel, Lisa Paul and Nikkev Louis.
Funded by the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF), the training, which began on November 12 and ends on January 22, 2019, will consist of approximately 397 hours of both theory and practical courses including front office, food service, housekeeping, food and beverage, and hotel management. The Saint Lucians will be joined by students from sister islands St. Kitts and Nevis and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Before they left, the local contingent convened at the Department of External Affairs, located at the Baywalk Mall in Rodney Bay, to meet with Taiwanese Ambassador Douglas Shen and Senator Fortuna Belrose, minister of culture. “You, the participants of this programme, are indeed fortunate,” minister Belrose reminded the group, “because you’re getting the opportunity of a lifetime. Remember, you are also ambassadors for our country.”
Referencing the government and people of Taiwan, she added: “They’ve made the investment, financed the programme, but you are expected to deliver the quality of person you are.” For his part, Ambassador Shen said the initiative turned a new page in Taiwan and Saint Lucia’s cooperation in human capacity-building. “I believe that when you return to Saint Lucia you will carry new ideas and new skills for Saint Lucia’s tourism industry. We truly believe a strong, skilled workforce is key to a nation’s social and economic transformation. In order to help further develop human resources and strengthen vocational training systems in the Caribbean region, we will continue to assist our diplomatic allies to enhance the human resources.” Mrs. Nadine Khodra-Jn Baptiste, on behalf of the participants, thanked the government of Taiwan for providing a “lifetime opportunity and a chance to represent our island.”
