THE DYNAMISM OF A SUCCESSFUL YOUTH TRAINING INITIATIVE

Many people question if a dream to win awards for a passion they pursue really does exist. For Geethma, and Damith , two youth from the Youth Trainee Programme in MLH, “the winner in bartendering” dream was just hearsay, they felt it was unattainable since both came to the hotel straight after school into a programme that MLH has been committed to and consistently paving the way for stars and where the emphasis is on creating opportunities for a better tomorrow for the Youth of Sri Lanka: Youth Training Programme at MLH. It was an initiative begun by Mr Prasanna Jayawardena – a dynamic GM of the MLH once upon a time and now the same dynamism or more continued by Mr Anura Dewapura, focus on the Youth Training Programme as the priority in the list of things to do.

The programme has seen youth from Trincomalee, Tangalle and even Batticaloa excel in their areas of disciplines and making their lives absolutely wonderful. Geethma and Damith were such youth who came to the hotel through the Youth Training Programme with their parents hopes of making their children’s dreams come to life. Indeed it did become reality. At the recently held 21st Marie Brizard Cocktail Competition- Colombo Region five participants from the hotel and quite coincidently all five were Youth Trainees from the batches of 2010 and 2011, who after completing their programme have now been absorbed to the Hotel team cadre bagged 1st and 5th place in the Classical Innovative Cocktail Competition of the 21st Marie Brizard Cocktail Competition.

This globally renowned cocktail competition begins in the regions of Sri Lanka, which then goes to the All Island event and finally takes successful youth to the global competition overseas. This is the only competition in Sri Lanka that surfaces unique creations in cocktails which showcase talent and signature creations by youth that are passionate in blends, concoctions, mixtures, and attention to detail presentation.

Although Geethma and Damith understood English and speak the language, they were not fluent enough to join the hospitality trade as they did not have any experience in the industry. But the opportunity created by the Youth Trainee Programme saw to it that their passions could come to life by the necessary skills and knowledge incorporated to their curriculum. “They had that positive attitude and the enthusiasm to go for gold hence it was an easy task to instil the skills and knowledge of the particular disciplines into their system.” In a few short months, Geethma, Damith and along with all youth trainees, a major improvement in skill and knowledge was ready to place them on the road to success.

According to the GM of MLH, Mr Anura Dewapura, “All the youth trainees are a great asset to the hotel. They are absolutely phenomenal young men and women with the passion to excel. Their commitment, attitude and perseverance is remarkable and indeed they are a wonderful addition to our family at MLH.” He further avers, “Our goal is to provide rural youth an opportunity and indeed to accomplish their dreams. The training and development we provide regardless of colour or creed with equal opportunities for them to excel as true hoteliers is essence of our efforts. No doubt many shining stars have been born from this programme and even at the hotel we have a few in different capacities that wave the flag of successful youth trainees.” 

Geethma and Damith stated that with the Youth training Programme, they have been able to help their families’ livelihood where they can live comfortably. Geethma continues “I want to thank MLH for taking me in and helping me learn the hospitality trades’ vital areas of quality service from scratch but especially for helping me pursue and live my dream. Thanks to the programme, I now have a better quality of life and feel like I can live my dream.”