Sutera Harbour Resort creating job opportunity for local youth in hospitality industry

• Group Chief Executive Officer Mr Gilbert Ee
• Assistant Minister of Education and Innovation YB Jenifer Lasimbang
• Deputy Chief Executive Officer Mr Gerard Tan
• Sabah Human Resource Development Department (JPSM) Chief Assistant Director Ms Celestina Aron

Kota Kinabalu: The Sutera Harbour Resort Rural Youth Hospitality Programme, in collaboration with the Sabah Human Resource Development Department (JPSM), continues to create more and better job opportunities to rural youth across Sabah.

Group Chief Executive Officer Mr Gilbert Ee

A total of 19 participants, who graduated from the programme, were absorbed as permanent staff here in Sutera Harbour Resort.

The initiative was established by the Resort as part of its corporate social responsibility with a focus to develop Sabah rural youths as professional hoteliers.

Assistant Minister of Education and Innovation YB Jenifer Lasimbang

The tailored programmes lasted six months with an emphasis to on-the-job exposure that comprised theory, soft skills training and practical learning in the hospitality industry.

“The ‘Train and Place’ concept, which fosters and expands the student’s skills to fit with the nature of this industry, will actually strengthen not only their knowledge but also specific skills tailored to a 5-star resort,” said the Sutera Harbour Resort Group Chief Executive Officer Gilbert Ee in his welcoming speech at the SHR Rural Youth Hospitality Programme Graduation, here at the Grand Ballroom, The Magellan Sutera Resort.

Ee also stressed on essential needs to provide the students with the right skills and the right attitude.

“We have the responsibility to ensure the students’ safety and welfare while at the same time motivate them in their journey to realise their dreams here with us. Culture fit is a very important factor if we wish to see the youths benefit from such program.

“We hope this continued effort will elevate the living standards of rural youths and create skilled workers in tandem with the aspiration of the government,” he said. According to the Head of Programme Aldana Kimin, the programme is relevant to reduce skills mismatch in the industry.

“We believe that with hands on training and strategic hospitality programme will not only maximise their skills, knowledge and the standard hospitality industry technique; but also to ensure that they have access in the marketplace,” she said. Aldana, who is the Group Director of Human Resource and Training of Sutera Harbour Resort, also stated that tourism players need to be actively involved in providing decent job placements for youths in the effort to promote hospitality as a preferred profession for them.

“We are committed to create equitable employment and this programme provides job access to our rural youths. At the same time, it also provides them with the skills, resources and opportunities to succeed,” she said.

The programme focuses on low-income family as well as single parent family background to provide them the opportunity to improve their future.

The participants, selected from rural areas of Keningau, Kota Marudu, Kota Belud, Sipitang and Moyog, are between 18 to 25 years of age. To qualify, candidates need to have the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) certificate.

This is the second batch of such programme. Last year, a total of 21 participants graduated from the same programme.