The Sandals Corporate University (SCU) has afforded some 26 employees from Sandals Grande Antigua and Grand Pineapple Antigua Beach Resort with a combined $18,400 (US$6,800) in scholarships that will bring them one step closer to achieving their academic and personal goals.
Team members will be pursuing the programmes, ranging from the CXC subjects to Associate degrees, at various institutions including the Learning Centre, Antigua and Barbuda Hospitality Training Institute (ABHTI), Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Global, and SCU-partner institution American Hospitality and Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI).
Every permanent team member of Sandals and Grand Pineapple was eligible to apply for the scholarships, with no restrictions on which programmes the SCU would support.
Vice Principal and Registrar of Sandals Corporate University Mark Frederick said the scholarship initiative is one that unwaveringly supports team members and their passions.
“It is not only about higher education. Scholarships are also given for literacy and numeracy programs for those so challenged; for high School equivalency; for professional certifications; for international workshops and conventions to name a few,” he said.
Across the entire Sandals family of companies, which operates 20 resorts in seven countries, a total of US $194,544 in scholarships was awarded for 2015. Since the programme began in 2012 a total of US $779,399 has been committed for scholarships.
Many of the Antiguan team members who received awards, opted for the Skills, Tasks, And Results Training (START) certification offered by the AHLEI in course areas such as guest room, restaurant, and maintenance.
Grand Pineapple Line Cook Ashema Willock said she was thrilled on receiving the news that her full scholarship for an Associate’s Degree at ABHTI was approved.
“I am excited because knowing my background and my situation; I have my whole family to support because I am the only working sibling in my home. It is amazing because I wanted to do this a long time now but, because of money, I could not do it,” Willock said.
The Line Cook added that when she completes her degree she hopes to briefly return to the kitchen.
“I love working in the kitchen. Cooking is something I grew up doing, but (this degree) is about getting experience everywhere else,” she said.
“I want to go into Human Resources. I am a fan of administration as well. “
VP Frederick said many of Sandals’ team members are committed and work hard but acknowledged that it can sometimes be difficult for them to pursue personal development goals.
“Sandals, through the SCU, provides an opportunity for personal growth and development. The scholarships are a part of this thrust,” he said. “The better the team members become the better we (Sandals) become, as they can apply their skills and knowledge to their jobs.”
The Sandals Grande Antigua the team members who received scholarships are Michael Casimir, Andrew Belgrave, Kofi Massian, Jennifer Benjamin, Desiree Corbin, Linneth Peart-Westmoreland, Sefra Timothy, Bilinda Bellot, Kandrea Williams, Stacey Hector-Henry, Egress Redman, and Romain Brown.
At Grand Pineapple Ashema Willock, Yansen LaRose, Maria Cummins, Justina Jervier, Joel Roberts, Dahlia Francis, Elsie Charles, Norline Mohammed, Dennis Richard, Shayne Roberts, Merlisia La-Touche, Barbara Thomas, and Cindy Joseph received the generous awards.