Previous Story
Arenovski highlights LTA program at Rotary meeting
Latte Training Academy spokesman Jim Arenovski spoke in glowing terms Tuesday of the hospitality program they offer and the many individuals who have benefited from it in past months.
Arenovski, who was guest speaker at Rotary Club of Saipan’s weekly meeting at the Hyatt Regency Saipan on Tuesday, extolled the many benefits of the academy’s hospitality management training where Island Training Solutions is the islands’ sole provider of the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute certification program. Arenovski is also president of Island Training Solutions.
“When we started this program, we knew that we needed to change some attitudes here towards hiring locals,” he said.
“We’re here to do workforce development, to get folks who may not understand much about hospitality and get them more in tune to hospitality,” he added.
He pointed out that entry-level, unskilled positions for hospitality are in demand and available now on island such as chambermaid, steward, dishwasher, and waiter positions.
“We have hospitality classes on over 20 areas but we focus mainly on workforce development, which also includes front desk, guest room services and food and beverage,” he said.
Through LTA, trainees could avail of better job opportunities.
“This program gives them an opportunity to start with a great foundation,” he said.
According to Arenovski, even though their students are not guaranteed jobs after finishing their training, LTA encourages employers to get to know these trainees and see their skills, attitudes, and aptitude—and that when employers hire their students, they are taking better risks.
Last June, 63 high school students and graduates received the globally-recognized AHLEI certifications after completing Skills, Tasks and Results Training Program training under LTA.
The AHLEI trainings are recognized throughout the world as providing cutting- edge skills development to participants. To complete the program and get certified, students have to dedicate approximately 180 hours of reading, classroom, and shadowing sessions on top of their normal school hours.
