For over four decades, Jetwing Hotels has closely worked with the local communities to enhance their livelihoods and living standards. In 2006, prior the opening of Jetwing Vil Uyana, the Jetwing Youth Development Programme (JYDP) was launched with the aim of mitigating youth unemployment in the country as well as addressing the manpower shortages faced by the tourism industry in Sri Lanka.
With the 30th programme coming to an end, JYDP has been successfully conducted in areas such as Dambulla, Sigiriya, Tissamaharama, Negombo, Batticaloa and Wellawaya, creating an opportunity for youth from challenging backgrounds to develop both employment and life skills, an invaluable first step into seeking employment at any hotel.
Over a 6-month period, participants gain exposure into Front Office, Housekeeping, Kitchen and Food & Beverage operations free of charge.
Over the years, JYDP has received many local and international accolades acknowledging the positive impact of the programme; PATA Grand Award in Education and Training Category (2007), Best Sustainability Project at Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Awards (2014), The Lufthansa City Center (LCC) social award (2015), and PATA Grand Award in Education & Training Category (2016) to name a few.
Jetwing Jaffna is testament to the positive change the training program has made to a local community. The hotel opened in early 2016 and to date over 60 percent of its team is made up of JYDP graduates.
Shiromal Cooray, Chairman, Jetwing Hotels said “For my father, Herbert Cooray, the success of Jetwing Hotels was not merely about the number of guests at a property. He always wanted to uplift the surrounding community by giving opportunities to the disadvantaged and valued enthusiasm and a positive attitude as much as formal qualifications.”
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