On June 22, 2024, at the Maldives National University Auditorium in Male, 49 Maldivian youths shone brightly as graduates of the Four Seasons Resort Maldives Hospitality Apprenticeship Programme. Accredited by the Maldivian Government, the programme is now in its 23rd year. As the longest running and most successful programme in the Indian Ocean, it has provided new opportunities and expanded horizons to 858 young people since its inception in 2001.
Minister of State for Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development, Ahmed Shafee, attended the ceremony as guest of honour and congratulated this year’s graduating students in Food & Beverage, Housekeeping & Guest Services, Retail, Front Office, Marine Transportation, Engineering, Diving & Water Sports, and welcomed the 73 new trainees for the class of 2025, selected from 229 applicants from 34 islands across 15 atolls. These aspirants will embark on a challenging year-long journey that combines rigorous training in their chosen field with deep immersion in the hospitality tradition of the Four Seasons family. Twelve graduates from the class of 2024 will also return to Four Seasons for their second or third year of training in Front Office and Engineering.
Excellence through immersive training
The success of the Four Seasons Resorts Maldives Hospitality Apprenticeship Programme lies not only in what is taught – a rich curriculum of technical skills – but also in how it is taught. At the core of the programme is hands-on learning under the guidance of experts with extensive international experience in the luxury hospitality, diving and marine industries. This hands-on training aims to build resilience and character, as well as instill professionalism, discipline, teamwork and perseverance.
what’s new
The Class of 2024 includes the first two graduates of the recently launched Resort Photography course in partnership with Malé-based Digital Studio. Additionally, as the hospitality apprenticeship scheme continues to evolve, Four Seasons Resorts Maldives has announced a new agreement with French training technology company 360 Learning to create digital content, improve its student management system and deliver a more collaborative and experiential approach to learning, with the first digital modules due to be rolled out later this year.
The 2023 training also sees the launch of a student exchange program with the Republic of Palau, agreed upon between the two island nations in 2022. Currently, 17 Maldivian young people are living amazing life adventures in Palau, with a second group set to leave for the Micronesian nation in the coming months. Currently, three Palauan trainees are training in the Maldives and are scheduled to graduate in January 2025.
Give young talent a chance
The Four Seasons Resorts Maldives Hospitality Apprenticeship is aimed at Maldivian young people aged 17-20 years old. No previous work experience is required, but candidates must have an O-Level qualification and be fluent in reading, writing and speaking English. Training takes place five days a week, with trainees living and working on-site in the beautiful surroundings of Four Seasons Resorts Maldives in Kuda Huraa and Landaa Giraavaru.
“During their participation in the programme, students acquire a wide range of technical skills and knowledge and develop a respect for discipline, accountability and professionalism, as well as a range of life skills such as the ability to connect with people, speak and act with integrity and responsibility, receive and accept feedback and deliver on agreements and commitments,” commented Armand Krentzulin, Regional Vice President and General Manager, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru.
“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the 49 members of the Class of 2024. You have demonstrated ambition, energy and drive to make something of yourself and your talents. I wholeheartedly welcome the Class of 2025 to Four Seasons and the Maldives tourism industry next year.”
