Monroe College Welcomes First Class of Students to New International Hospitality Training Institute in St. Lucia
New program introduced in partnership with the Government of Saint Lucia provides residents with professional training for cruise ship and hospitality sector careers.
Monroe College, a leader in educating urban and international students, today welcomed students to the first day of classes for its new International Hospitality Training Institute in St. Lucia. A celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Friday.
The College created the Training Institute in partnership with the government of St. Lucia to provide a pathway for local residents to train for entry-level hospitality and tourism sector jobs, a mainstay of the island’s economy.
Marc Jerome, president of Monroe College, led the inaugural ceremony with College officials on Friday at the Training Institute in the southern town of Vieux Fort. The College was honored to have the Honorable Jeannine Giraudy-McIntyre, President of the Senate in St. Lucia, cut the ceremonial ribbon at the new facility.
Also in attendance were: Stephen Auguste, District Six Education Officer; Oracia Denbow-Bullen, Mayor of Vieux Fort; Nancy Charles, Project Implementation Officer; Andy Daniel, Speaker of the House; Benjamin Emmanuel, Cabinet Secretary and Monroe College alumni; Senator Hermangil Francis, Minister for National Security; Elmagene Isaac, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs/OECS Ambassador; Windy Moncherry, Coordinator of the National Apprentice Programme (NAP); Carolyn Trobetskoy; President of the Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association, and Roger Winter, Project Officer of the National Apprentice Programme (NAP).
Travel and tourism are significant contributors to St. Lucia’s economy. Earlier this year, the Caribbean Tourism Organization reported that the number of leisure visitors to St. Lucia hit an all-time high in 2017. Also worth noting: a World Travel & Tourism Council study forecasts that the hospitality sector will account for more than 60% of total employment for local residents over the next nine years.
“St. Lucia’s tourism sector is growing and we commend the Government’s vision to launch a facility where local residents can obtain the professional training required to successfully enter that growing job market,” said Marc Jerome, president of Monroe College.
He added: “The faculty and staff of our renowned School of Hospitality Management have put together an exceptional curriculum designed to deliver the top-notch professional training today’s employers demand. It was a pleasure to welcome the Training Institute’s first students to campus earlier today.”
Five certificate programs are offered, with training on professionalism and the essential “soft skills” that hospitality employers demand incorporated into each track. Students may train in: Bartending, Event Planning and Logistics, Front Office / Guest Services, Food & Beverage Service, or Housekeeping.
The first cohort of students admitted into the program began classes today. Applications are now being accepted for the next class term, which begins January 22, 2019. The Training Institute is open to residents throughout the Caribbean region, with priority admission granted to St. Lucia residents.
Monroe College’s International Hospitality Training Institute is located at the Industrial Estate complex on Vieux Fort Laborie Highway in Vieux Fort, St. Lucia. For more information and to apply, please contact:
National Apprenticeship Programme
Office of the Prime Minister
2nd Floor, Chitolie Building
Beanefield, Vieux Fort (Saint Lucia)
Information is also available by calling the National Apprenticeship Programme at 718-454-8263 or the International Hospitality Training Institute at 758-456-3239.
Monroe College celebrated its tenth anniversary in St. Lucia last year. The St. Lucia campus, located on Vide Boutielle Highway in Castries, offers students from the Caribbean a broad array of educational opportunities through programs offered through Monroe’s Schools of Allied Health Professions, Business & Accounting, Criminal Justice, Hospitality Management and the Culinary Institute of New York, and Information Technology.
ABOUT MONROE COLLEGE
Founded in 1933, Monroe College is a recognized leader in urban and international education. The College is proud of its innovative programs to increase college access, affordability, and completion outcomes, especially among first-generation students. The strength of its warm, supportive culture is reflected in the personal connections fostered among students, faculty, and staff.
Monroe educates close to 8,000 students each year, offering Certificate, Associate, Bachelor’s, and Master’s degree programs from campuses in the Bronx, New Rochelle, and St. Lucia. Students may also take courses online. For more information and admissions criteria, please visit http://www.monroecollege.edu.