Rezidor Hotel Group supports Cathsseta

Over 300 students from Further Education and Training (FET) colleges around the country who are studying for a qualification in travel, tourism and hospitality will this year have the opportunity to work in a hotel environment to attain workplace experience.

Cathsseta, the tourism sector SETA (previously known as Theta), has entered into a partnership with the Rezidor Hotel Group, which manages the Radisson Blu hotels. The hotel group will provide learners currently enrolled at FET colleges with the opportunity to gain much needed work experience and vocational training within their hotels, which will increase their chances of securing permanent employment within Radisson Blu hotels.

The long-time CEO of Cathsseta (and Theta), Mike Tsotetsi, says: “Following the University of Johannesburg incident it became apparent that SETAs have a task of ensuring that there are as many such partnerships formed in each of our sectors to give learners the opportunity to know about the available qualifications and opportunities that exist outside the university spectrum.”

The two partners worked on a pilot project during 2011. Nine students from the Russell Road FET College in Port Elizabeth underwent a four month learnership programme, which resulted in the permanent employment of 28-year old Bonga Galada. He now works as demi chef at the Waterfront Radisson Blu Hotel in Cape Town and has competed in several competitions as well as appeared on media platforms such Expresso on SABC3.

The director of people development at the Redizor Hotel Group, Jan Spooren, says: “The hotel group has a staff developmental plan which focuses on ensuring that the Radisson Blu does not just employ people but creates a conducive environment for its human resources to be placed in the department to which they are most suited.”

In 1995 the group introduced the “Yes I can!” campaign to motivate its staff to come to work not only with an intention to serve but to self improve. This philosophy has resulted in the group participating in various skills development and service excellence initiatives within the tourism industry.

Cathsseta and Radisson Blu are officially launching this partnership on 26 January 2012 at the Radisson Blu Hotel Gautrain and are challenging other groups to join them and create employment opportunities for youngsters graduating from high school.