Training offered to tourism industry workers

By Tina Mata'afa-Tufele 02 September 2020, 12:00PM

Training tailor-made for employees of tourism operators is open for people who have been laid off by their employers due to the economic downturn or even those still at work. 

A recruitment drive targeting laid off hotel workers will move to Savai’i on Wednesday and will be located at the Va-i-Moana Seaside Lodge in Asau from 12pm to 3pm.

On Thursday they will be located at the Beach Fales in Manase from 9am to 12pm and Jetover Hotel in Salelologa from 2pm to 5pm.

Training participation registration moves to Savai’i after two days of recruiting on Upolu at Lalomanu, Lefaga and in Apia at the Samoa Tourism Authority [S.T.A.] Fale Samoa.

Galumalemana Lina Bell, Coconuts Beach Resort Manager, was among 80-plus people who attended the Apia recruitment drive.

“I don’t really understand what they are doing so that is why I am here. I was also late as far as I know, this part of the stimulus package for the tourism industry,” Galumalemana said.

“As soon as the state of emergency [S.O.E.] was declared in March, we closed down. So that is why I am here to find out what this training is about for the people who have lost their jobs and are currently unemployed.”

Coconuts Beach Resort employed more than 100 people prior to the S.O.E. lockdown with their staff numbers now reduced to 12.

“We closed completely. The only people working at the moment are the security guards and the grounds people just to keep the grounds up. There are about 12 of them, less than 20 people but we had more than 100 employees before the S.O.E.,” added Galumalemana.

“I think the hard thing right now is the borders are closed so we cannot advertise our hotels but what we do want is help through S.T.A. perhaps with taxes…that is one way for them to help. I am going to encourage my workers to participate in the training.”

The training recruitment drive is open to all tourism and hospitality operators and employees including workers from hotel accommodations, attraction sites, tour operators, souvenir shops, nightclubs, bars, restaurants and cafes.

It was created to allow interested participants to learn about the courses that will be made available and secure a spot as spaces are limited to 20 people per location. The initiative targets displaced employees with special consideration for those who are still and currently employed.

A stipend will be distributed upon completion of each course. Training providers are the National University of Samoa, Australia Pacific Training Coalition and Samoa Business Hub.

By Tina Mata'afa-Tufele 02 September 2020, 12:00PM

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