WICCI & SAATHIYA

JOIN HANDS FOR SKILL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

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WICCI National Hospitality & Tourism Council joins hands with SAATHIYA, a Shibulal Family Philanthropic Initiative, to provide Short Term Training to women (and youth) from marginalised backgrounds for Entry Level Profession in Food and Beverage (F&B) Service and Housekeeping Operations leading to Guest Service Associate roles in leading Hotels, Resorts, Restaurants, and QSRs; creating opportunities and ways where the industry can add value and support the employment and enable sustainable livelihoods. The WICCI National Hospitality & Tourism Council – SAATHIYA Skill Development Initiative draws extensively from the experiences of the industry, training partners, NGOs, and government agencies and institutions.. Ms. Meena Bhatia, National Advisory Board Member, WICCI Hospitality & Tourism Council –explains, “The programme aims to guide and prepare the youth, transforming them into confident, career-focused individuals in the organized sector and endeavours to positively transform the lives of these vulnerable and less privileged members of the society. Our goal is aligned with the country’s skill development vision, as also with the industry’s future need for a well-groomed and well-trained workforce.”

Ms. Kanika Hasrat, National President, WICCI Hospitality & Tourism Council ( General Manager, Taj City Centre Gurugram, IHCL) along with Ritu Chawla Mathur – National Vice President, ventured into this initiative with the belief that this was their opportunity to give back to their industry and communities. Both having had illustrious careers in the industry, Ritu reminiscences, “There is much to celebrate and

Ms. Kanika Hasrat, National President, WICCI Hospitality & Tourism Council

Ms. Shruti Shibulal, CEO and Director of Tamara Leisure Experiences Ms. Meena Bhatia, National Advisory Board Member, WICCI Hospitality & Tourism Council

be proud of in our industry that I would like more women to experience the same and sign-up!”

Echoing her statement, Kanika Hasrat shared, ‘The most successful people in the industry have a very positive, enthusiastic “YES I CAN” attitude and I believe that together the team of WICCI hospitality and Tourism along with SAATHIYA and Industry Skill Council will train for skill and build a passion for the industry.’

Ms. Shruti Shibulal, CEO and Director of Tamara Leisure Experiences, who is also at the helm of the philanthropic initiative at SAATHIYA says, “Diversity and inclusion have always been top priorities for Tamara Leisure Experiences. This is also our ongoing focus with SAATHIYA, a non-profit Skilling Academy under the Shibulal Family Philanthropic Initiatives, which offers vocational training, job place-

31 ment, and career mentorship to economically-disadvantaged youth. Our partnership with WICCI will bring two like-minded organizations together that have similar objectives of increasing the women workforce in the hospitality industry. I am confident that the complementary strengths of SAATHIYA and WICCI will help create a multiplier effect on outcomes and help empower women with livelihood options and career growth in the hospitality industry.”

Meena Bhatia, Vice President & General Manager, Le Meridien, New Delhi will be rolling out the Pilot batch of 30 young women and men, under her care and supervision at the hotel, operating as the ‘Centre of Excellence’ or training hub.

The Skill Development Initiative is an 8-weeks online theory training program, along with practical sessions at identified WICCI training hubs, followed by a minimum of 8 – 12 weeks of on-the-job training for F&B and Housekeeping operations. Students will have to undergo and clear a screening test to be eligible to join this course.