A five-star hotel in Seberang Jaya, Penang is heeding the call of the government to take the lead in training and hiring locals so as to lessen the dependence on foreign workers.
The Light Hotel Penang is doing the leg-work by going down to secondary schools in the vicinity to provide career guidance talks and to offer employment in the hospitality industry.
Taking the lead is the general manager himself, K. Raj Kumar who is bringing along a team consisting of heads of departments from the hotel.
They recently held a presentation at the SMK Convent Butterworth and SMK Perai where some 150 SPM students gathered.
They also plan to visit SMK Bagan Jaya, SMK Kampung Kastam, SMK Taman Inderawasih, SMK Mak Mandin, SMK Seberang Jaya, SMK Teluk Ayer Tawar, SMK St Mark and Kolej Vokasional Seberang Perai.
“There is always some who do not fare well in their examinations or their family do not have the financial resources to send them for further education.
“We offer them a career in the hospitality industry by offering them to join us for two years where we give them training in the various departments in the hotel.
“There are so many departments, like sales, front office, F&B, housekeeping, engineering. We can see where they can fit in in terms of their future,” said Raj.
The Light Hotel will also pay them a salary, provide meals and other benefits while they are attached to the hotel.
“The apprentices receive accredited certification upon completion from The Light Hotel Penang and accredited under Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Penang Chapter . The project is supported by the Ministry of Education and also the Ministry of Tourism.
“They are always free to leave and pursue their education if their results are good. We are also willing to teach them the English language for those who feel that they are not confident to interact with foreigners,” he added.
The hotel is targetting a total of 10 schools in the vicinity to provide talks and workshops so that the students can have a short or long term career plan in place.
“I want to show the students that they can also grow from rank and file in the hospitality industry to become heads of departments or even general managers.
“There is nothing impossible if one puts his/her mind to it,” says Raj who is also the vice president of the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Penang Chapter..
He added that the most important thing is to have the right attitude and discipline and one can go far in any career.
“In this way, we can also help the labour shortage in the country and lessen the dependence of foreign workers as advised by the Prime Minister.
“The trainees can also save money and prepare themselves for further education either in this field or other vocations of their liking,” he added.
“I always say, take the staircase so that when we fall it is only a few steps backwards and can continue to walk up again. Don’t take the lift as we will fall and hit the basement,” advised Raj.