Youth project at soon-to-open Jetwing Lagoon
by Jetwing ·
Sri Lankan travel and leisure group Jetwing recently initiated its second Jetwing Youth Development Project (JYDP) for the community around its currently under construction Jetwing Lagoon in Negombo, scheduled to open in early 2012. With the first JYDP for Jetwing Vil Uyana’s Sigiriya community five years ago, this second JYDP is said to follow the same guidelines as the first, teaching skills related to English, personal grooming, hygiene and hoteliering to youth in Negombo’s communities.
According to a company statement; “A total of 60 youth will be participating, all of who are unemployed and between the ages of 18-25, from traditional trade families such as farming and fishing. With the aims of JYDP to provide new avenues for such youth to pursue, and the overwhelming success it generates (as in the case at Jetwing Vil Uyana, where all participants passed and most recruited into the staff cadre upon completion, with others finding gainful employment in the industry); the project in Negombo is held with the blessings of the families, the religious and community leaders. Tuition in English will be conducted by a renowned tutor from the area, after which skills relating to Basic Hospitality, such as Front Office, Housekeeping, Restaurant & Bar Service and Cookery, which will be conducted by Jetwing’s own Training and Development managers.”
Meanwhile, quoted in the statement, Jetwing Hotels Chairman, Hiran Cooray, noted; “We founded JYDP in order to address the growing concern of youth unemployment, purely due to their lack of educational or technical requirements. The course is structured so as to give these youth the tools they need, as they are quite talented and hardworking. It is our responsibility to help them create their future; as theirs moulds the future of our very own country.”
