In a bid to overcome the shortage of skilled workers in the hospitality industry, the Plenitude Group entered a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with DISTED College yesterday.
The event was held at the Mercure Penang Beach Hotel where Penang State Exco for Tourism and Creative Economy, YB Yeoh Soon Hin was on hand to witness the ceremony.
Also present was the non-executive chairman of Plenitude Berhad, Madam Chua Elsie and chief executive officer of DISTED College, Professor Dr Brian C. Imrie along with the President of DISTED College, Professor Dr Vikneswaran Nair.
Yeoh in his remarks welcomed the move which he described as the state’s aim of developing and progressing Penang towards a more liveable and smarter city.
“This MOU will observe internship and employment arrangements at Plenitude hotels and properties. This partnership is also in line with the public-private-people (3P) which I have always emphasized on.
“Tourism and hospitality are a crucial part of Penang’s economic make-up. However, the migration of workers from the tourism sector to the manufacturing industry and other sectors have left the hospitality sector with an acute shortage of staff,” he said.
He also added that this MOU may not necessarily help to resolve the insufficient staff but is in the right direction.
Meanwhile, Madam Chua said that the MOU extends their talent development plan to a new level through the partnership.
“We are ready to recruit students and graduates of DISTED College for our vast range of business activities with industry opportunities to sharpen their skills as they expose themselves to the corporate world,” said Chua.
Also present was the executive director of StudyPenang and vice president of the Malaysian Association of Hotels, Khoo Boo Lim, Dr Lum Li Sean, Head, School of Business & Hospitality DISTED College and Ananth Lachumanan, Head of Marketing and Communications, DISTED College.
