SM Foundation trains high school graduates in hotel operations

MANILA, Philippines - SM Foundation has held, since February, specialized training on housekeeping, waiting services, kitchen help and maintenance (including engineering and plumbing) to two batches of high school graduates, whose poverty has caused them to forego college education thereby reducing further their chances of leading productive lives.

Hailing from poor and hard-to-reach barangays Bulihan, Calayo, Looc and Papaya all in Nasugbu, Batangas, the scholars went through four weeks of intensive training of theory and lecture in classroom setting (five days), 180-hours of actual work experience and on the job training (in compliance with the rules set by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority), evaluation and exit interview and examinations by TESDA before they were able to complete the course.

The two batches were trained by the different department heads of the historic Taal Vista Hotel (built in 1937 but acquired by SM founder Henry Sy in the early eighties). Of the 30 trainees in the first batch, 29 are now employed by SM’s Pico Sands Hotel in Nasugbu.

The second batch of 30 trainees had their validation and final evaluation plus exit exams by the TESDA on May 16 and their “graduation” was attended by their parents and loved ones at the techno-demo farm, where other batches of farming graduates joined the proud hotel trainees.

SM Foundation Assistant Vice President for Livelihood Cristie Angeles said they conducted a study on the socio economic impact of the project in their communities to determine how many batches should be trained each year.

“Basically, we teach them Christian values and proper work ethics, English and communication skills, self confidence and to dream of a better life for their families. Most of all we determine their interest in undergoing training and learning new skills for their personal and professional development,” Angeles said. 

The first batch of 29 trainees, who graduated in March, are now employed as daily wage earners at the Pico Sands Hotel.

During the interview with media, the trainees (of both batches) expressed their profound gratitude to the foundation for having opened the windows of opportunities to them, long after they have lost hope in getting gainfully employed considering their lack of the required college education.

Corpus and Lourdes Ojeda, the Executive Assistant Manager of Pico Sands Hotel & Spa, said they have learned more from the trainees and the gratification of sharing their knowledge and skills in hotel management with raw talents who will someday make it big in the hospitality industry, here and abroad.

“When I hear them say they will save up to get a college degree and work abroad, I’m happy because we have succeeded in making them aspire for excellence and overcome their limitations,” Angeles and Corpus said.

The hospitality training is just the first project of SM Foundation Livelihood Training Center in Nasugbu with the others being animal farming, vegetable farming, dressmaking (to supply the SM stores) and construction.