Skills centre becomes worthy partner in tourism

CSD graduand Jones Anacoura (right) prevailed over his head barman, Berty Cedras (left)

The government is counting on the centre for skills development to help bridge the gap in the supply of hotel workers as more high class resorts are established.

Vice-President Joseph Belmont said this last week in his capacity as Minister for Tourism and Transport.

He was reacting to the question whether with the increase in demand for staff to man the many new hotels that are coming up, Seychelles would have to rely on foreigners.

"We are working with the Skills Development Centre (SCD) to see that those Seychellois who want to serve in the hotel and tourism industry but did not get a chance to enter the hotel school may still have a chance to take part," Mr Belmont said.

His comments came at a time when the centre was celebrating the success of one of its graduates, who beat veterans in the industry to scoop a top award in a competition.

"Jones Anacoura, who this year won the 17th edition of the annual U-First bartender's competition is a product of the Centre for Skills Development (SCD)," director Donald Celestine of the centre said.

"In fact his own supervisor was in the competition but still Anacoura prevailed," a proud Celestine said.

He said that the centre started recruiting trainees for the industry last year and has now started a centre on Praslin, where in fact Anacoura works.

Mr Belmont nevertheless said that Seychelles allows in expatriates into the industry which he said to be a demanding one.

"But we also monitor the situation with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment and we are making every effort and giving Seychellois every possible opportunity for them to play whatever role they can," he said.

At the moment, 31 participants are following the CSD hotel and tourism programme on Praslin, and 14 have enrolled on Mahe.

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