Stephanie Botes, who recently achieved a Hospitality Management Diploma from BON Hotels’ In-service Traineeship Programme via CPUT, is the first management graduate on their programme to qualify and has already taken up a position as Assistant Housekeeping Manager at a local hotel.
The In-service traineeship Programme is geared towards school leavers wanting to pursue a career in hospitality. It involves on-the-ground work experience coupled with in-house or external training that has proved to be a successful way to fast-track skills development in the industry.
Stephanie says that the In-service Traineeship opportunity has meant a lot to her, giving her the potential to grow and achieve more than she could have imagined. She believes she wouldn’t be where she is right now without it. Her advice for the youth interested in working in hospitality is: “Hospitality isn’t an easy industry but if you are passionate about it you will go far and it is definitely worth it. So, work hard, believe in yourself, do everything with fervour and never give up.”
CEO of BON Hotels Guy Stehlik says that tourism is one of the world’s biggest employers and the hotel industry recognises the benefit of investing in, recruiting and developing local talent in the communities in which they serve. “We are rallying to attract, empower, upskill, nurture and retain our home-grown talent.”
