Celebrating the First Graduates of Marriott International Maldives Apprenticeship Program

Marriot International hosted a graduation ceremony on the 16th of March 2024 at Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa. This graduation ceremony commemorated the achievements of its first intake of apprentices for the Marriott International Maldives Apprenticeship Program.

The graduation ceremony marked the achievements of the first graduating class. The Maldives Qualification Authority (MQA) awarded level-3 certification to 43 young apprentices. 43 students who completed the rigorous 10-month program received the certification. In addition to empowering the Maldivian youth, this program also helped provide them with the skills essential for succeeding in the industry.

Marriott International created the Maldives Apprenticeship Program in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Community Empowerment, and the Maldives Institute of Technology (MIT). The apprenticeship program was launched as a pilot initiative on May 9, 2023. This partnership marked a significant milestone for Marriott International and the Maldives government. With this, Marriott International is the first international hospitality brand to collaborate with the Government apprenticeship program.

The Marriott International Maldives Apprenticeship Program reflects our commitment to nurtuting local talent and equip them with the skill to excel in the Maldives’ thriving tourism industry. A numver of graduates have been offered positions, and it brings us great joy to see them join the Marriott family. Their Marriott experience is poised to be rewarding and instrumental in supporting their career aspirations, commented Gautam Bhandari – Senior Vice President, Hotel Development & Operations, Marriott International.

MIT provided the theoretical part of the curriculum, while participants gained practical experiences across various disciplines at Marriott International’s portfolio of resorts in the Maldives. This includes The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, The. St.Regis Maldives, JW Marriott Maldives, W Maldives, Le Méridien Maldives, Sheraton Maldives and The Westin Maldives.

Hulhule Island Hotel and Madifushi Private Island recently made exciting new additions to their teams, further reinforcing their commitment to providing exceptional hospitality and operational expertise in the Maldives.

A New Leader in the Kitchen at Hulhule Island Hotel

At Hulhule Island Hotel, Chef Ismail Naseer has taken on the role of Executive Sous Chef. Chef Ismail’s journey with the hotel is remarkable—he started as a Commis I and, over time, rose through the ranks thanks to his hard work and passion for the culinary arts. His dedication has earned him several awards, including first-place finishes at prestigious national culinary competitions.

Chef Ismail extends his culinary expertise beyond the kitchen. He is also a certified culinary judge with the World Association of Chefs’ Societies. Before returning to Hulhule Island Hotel, Chef Ismail served as the Sous Chef at Skyfall Lounge & Restaurant, where he further honed his leadership skills. Now, back at Hulhule, he’s ready to bring even more creativity and excellence to the hotel’s dining experiences.

Enhancing Operations at Madifushi Private Island

Meanwhile, at Madifushi Private Island, Ahmed Aneel has joined the team as the new Assistant Transport Manager. Aneel is no stranger to the hospitality industry. He began his career in transport management at Kuramathi Island Resort and Spa. His experience grew at VARU By Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts, as well as Oblu Xperience Ailafushi and Oblu Select Lobigili.

With a strong background in logistics, scheduling, and transport operations, Aneel’s expertise will be key in improving the guest experience at Madifushi. He will focus on streamlining operations and ensuring smooth transportation for guests, which is crucial for creating seamless stays on the island.

A Commitment to Nurturing Local Talent

Ali Shakir, the Group General Manager, shared his excitement about the new appointments.

“We are proud to welcome both Chef Ismail and Aneel to our properties. Their individual journeys are a true testament to the strength and promise of Maldivian hospitality talent. With proven track records of consistently going over and above to deliver nothing but the best, I believe these two leaders embody our ongoing commitment to nurturing local professionals and elevating the standard of service across our hotel and resort.”

Both Chef Ismail and Aneel have already begun their roles and are ready to make a real impact on their teams and the overall guest experience at the properties.

Celebrating the First Graduates of Marriott International Maldives Apprenticeship Program

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