Sandals Grande Antigua Resort and Spa recently hosted an incredible two-week programme for fifth form students from Otto’s Comprehensive School focused on hospitality training and exposure.

The students were thrilled to be assigned across several departments within the resort, including the front office, kitchen, weddings, and food and beverage, where they gained valuable insights into the world of work and exposure to many areas of opportunity within a hospitality-centered environment.

Learning and Development Manager, Carlene Spencer, shared that the aim of the programme was to give these young leaders an amazing experience and a chance to explore the hospitality industry further.

Tyreek Patrick, who was assigned to the front office department, was amazed at the experience and shared that he had learned a lot about Sandals and the front office operations in just one training session. He was excited to see what week two had to offer as the students continued their learning journey.

The Sandals team was incredibly welcoming, and the students settled in well.

Markayla Wellington added that she learned so much and was looking forward to the remaining days of training in the weddings department that ended too quickly.

Resort General Manager David Latchimy encouraged the students to be open to learning and grateful for the opportunity to work alongside the world’s greatest team members.

The students were thrilled to be exposed to all that Sandals has to offer, including departments such as Information Technology, Public Relations, Sales, Entertainment, Photography, and Butler Services that offer support to the overall guest experience of guests that visit the beautiful resort.

As the students concluded their training stint just before the start of the Christmas holidays, they received a stipend as a thank-you gesture and were encouraged to seize the opportunity to further enroll in the resort’s premiere hospitality training program upon graduation from high school in 2024.

With such an exciting start to their hospitality careers, the future looks bright for these young leaders.