HOSPITALITY veteran Milton Monteiro is starting the Hospitality Academy for Training in Service (HATS) to bring individuals that recruiters do not usually consider into the hospitality sector.
Open to Singaporeans and permanent residents, the programme targets mostly young adults above aged 16 who are troubled financially, the elderly who are able-bodied and can be trained in certain F&B services, and past offenders or the underprivileged.
Through HATS, participants will gain skills for F&B operations in the hospitality industry and learn about banquet and catering service, bar service and restaurant service.
Besides being the initiator of the programme, Monteiro is also the chief trainer, bringing with him 28 years of hospitality experience.
The programme ultimately hopes to address the need for manpower and service levels in the hospitality industry, while also increasing job opportunities for secondary school leavers, motivating the elderly to work in certain areas and integrating past offenders into society.
Said Monteiro: “The hospitality industry has changed me over the years for the better. One tends to be more gracious. Unfortunately, at many times operations takes precedence over service and we somehow lose the touch.”
“At HATS, I believe it can set the correct foundation for good service because I intend to inculcate this in all my trainers and those in the class.”
HATS will rely on industry partners to provide mentorship and guaranteed job placements to make the programme a success.
HATS is a 160-hour programme and costs S$1,200 (US$928) per candidate, with each intake accepting between 10 and 30 students. The e2i (Employment and Employability Institute) in Singapore is providing a subsidy of 90 per cent on course fees.
