Nadi, Fiji, Friday, 14 April 2023 – Marriott International Fiji Hotels have officially launched the Fiji Marriott Training Academy on Thursday, April 13th with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Hon. Viliame Gavoka attending the opening.

Multi Property Vice President Pacific Islands Marriott International, Mr Neeraj Chadha said “The course of the journey started during the pandemic. The intention was to grow local talent – find people, train them before they can join the industry.”

He continued, “The pilot program was initiated in close collaboration with the support of the Turaga Na Momo Na Tui Nadi, to train youths from Narewa Village whilst the industry was still closed, and they were employed thereafter marking its initial success.”

With tourism accounting for 40% of Fiji's GDP and employing one in eight locals, Marriott International Fiji aims to provide opportunities and foster an environment that cultivates the industry growth.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Hon Viliame Gavoka said during his keynote address “Globally tourism is expected to grow even as we recover. Whilst it presents both opportunities and challenges, the opportunity is to invest in people, their capability and creating quality jobs in the tourism sector.”

He said, “The challenge is that, to support growth and to achieve tourism sector competitiveness and sustainability, we need the right human capital base that meets current and future market demands and ultimately, enhances competitiveness.”

Following its successful soft opening last year, the Fiji Marriott Training Academy is a program designed to enhance the skills of young locals keen to kickstart or further their career. The program also aims to develop leadership in the archipelago's hospitality sector.

This year, the academy was revamped to provide a more strategic focus and address the skills gap in the Fiji tourism industry. With the ongoing significant migration of tourism workers, Marriott International's Fiji Hotels aim to retain local talent and invest in their development.

The Honourable Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation acknowledged “Marriott International Fiji Hotels leadership for being an enabler and provider for initiatives such as the Academy program, to ensure that we continue to build and invest in our people, whilst maintaining a steady flow of workforce needed by the tourism industry.”

He continued, “It is a testament to investing in local talent, training and equipping people with skills which would see them kickstart a highly respected and sought-after career, earn for their families, support their communities and contribute to the nation's workforce.”

He said, “It is pleasing that the Academy is not only focused on nurturing young talent, but it is also designed to upskill and train the resort's current and long serving associates through rotational training and also serve as a platform to empower and equip our women and girls into the tourism workforce.”

At the launch, there were 42 graduates that had successfully completed a seven-week at 40 hours per week training program facilitated by the resort's department leaders and hospitality experts to learn the fundamentals of the industry with a focus on 30% theory and 70% immersive practical experience.

The Cluster Director of Human Resources, Farrah Shazleen said, “All the graduates are in full employment across all our hotels in Fiji. From the 42 graduates, 36 joined Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort and six joined the Sheraton Resort & Spa Tokoriki Island Fiji team in the Mamanuca Islands.”

Looking ahead, Ms Shazleen said, “Fiji Marriott Training Academy will be the hub where you find your rough diamonds and put them through the immense operational pressure producing fine talent who will be ready to engage across all the five hotels in Fiji.”

The academy is part of Marriott International's ongoing commitment to developing its associates and supporting the communities in which it operates.

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Media Contact:

Shannon Mawer

Account Manager, The Mint Partners

E: shannon@themintpartners.com.au

M: +61 424 303 078

Sera Cawanibuka-Seruvatu

Cluster Director of Marketing – Fiji,

Marriott International Fiji Resorts

M: + (679) 9904538

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