Harpos’ school of Hospitality & Tourism Management Galle Branch conducted certificate programs in Cookery, Housekeeping, Bar operation, English, Vegetable & Ice carving program recently and 18 students received their certificates from Harpo Gooneratne MD. Harpo’s Hotel school Galle branch.

The registrations are yet open for the next certificate programs and require participants for the Food & Beverage Service and Pastry & Bakery course as there are many inquiries by prospective employers and also vacancies currently available in the industry.

The batch of 18 students who completed the program has already obtained employment in the resort hotels. This ideally supports the HSHTM vision to give these students the education which offers them the opportunity to be employed in the hotel industry, which is in great need of qualified staff.

Also present at the event was Mr. Asoka Jayawardena - Consultant of HSHTM and Damitha Nalin the Center Manager, Galle Branch who has been very actively involved in promoting the courses and obtaining the necessary number of participants for the courses.

Holcim Lanka, a member of the Lafarge Holcim Group, a global leader in the construction material industry recently partnered with Harpo's School of Hospitality & Tourism to support the development of the communities in which it operates, through intensive Hospitality Training.

The partnership is a result of Holcim's vision to be considered a trusted partner of the development of communities in where it operates. Holcim Lanka has clearly identified a lack of employment and training opportunities in the Puttalam district.

Holcim Lanka conducted an intense one month training plan implemented by Harpo's Hospitality School, for youth from the Korathive area to receive Foundation level training in the areas of Food & Beverage (F&B), Housekeeping, Kitchen & Stewarding and Front Office in April 2016.

Following this, many of the newly skilled males were provided with a six [06] month on-the- job training at Anantaya a five star hotel in Chillaw and other hotels in Kalpitiya Tourist zone "We are privileged to be partnering a global company as part of their CSR project. The positive comments received from the participants, who were from villages in the district was heartwarming. Also their commitment in completing the course was commendable. Providing a launch pad for them to move on with a new career will greatly support the community. We plan to continue the program with Holcim" Harpo Goonerante.MD Asoka Jayawardene- Director of the Hotel school had similar sentiments of the participants and their keenness to learn and also the incredible improvement in them at the conclusion of the program showed scope for continuation of the training program.

Commenting on the initiative, Charlotte Boutboul, CSR Manager of Holcim Lanka, said "... It is through a sustained partnership with Harpo's School of Hospitality & Tourism and the want to continue to develop Sri Lankan communities, that Holcim Lanka is now taking its first step into powering the growth of skill and opportunity in the Hospitality Industry."

This ideally supports the HSHTM vision to give its students the education which offers them the opportunity to be employed in the hotel industry, which is in great need of qualified staff. HSHTM Certificate presentation was held at the Holcim Lanka Premises in Puttalam and was attended by Charlotte Boutboul CSR Manager, Asoka Jayawardene - Director HSHTM, Tissa Nanayakkara- Head of HR Holcim and NAITA regional rep.