Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts renews commitment to train disadvantaged children

Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts has extended its long-term partnership with the charity Right4Children, giving more disadvantaged young people access to hospitality training and job prospects in the Middle East.

The global hospitality firm and Nepal-based NGO have agreed to run their successful Mövenpick Hospitality Programme for at least another year, offering underprivileged youngsters and their families the chance to boost their living standards through skills creation and career opportunities.

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The charitable initiative was set up in 2009 and since then, 132 youngsters have completed the six-month training programme, on one of three tailor-made courses – Housekeeping, Culinary Services (chefs) and Food and Beverage Services (waiters).

Craig Cochrane, Senior VP Human Resources, Movenpick Hotels & Resorts, said: “Right4Children aims to provide disadvantaged young people with what they need most — access to education and training. The Mövenpick Hospitality Programme has achieved this goal, demonstrating the positive impact the hotel industry can make on underprivileged communities through vocational training initiatives. We look forward to nurturing more talented students and bringing them into the Mövenpick family as future employees.”

Of the graduates enrolled so far, 85 percent have secured job placements at a Mövenpick property in the Middle East, with participating hotels to date located in Dubai (Ibn Battuta Gate, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Al Mamzar and Bur Dubai), Jordan (Dead Sea, Aqaba and Tala Bay) and Doha (West Bay), while others have gained employment in the local hospitality industry.

The wider impact of this programme is just as significant, with more than 650 family members of participants benefiting from the outcome of their training in terms of gainful employment with regular income.