Providing training opportunities for young people

One of our goals is to be a centre for community development, we have different strategies in place to achieve these goals.  One such strategy involves offering training opportunities to hospitality/tourism students.  There are numerous colleges in and around Moshi and Tanzania that offer training courses to young Tanzanians to give theoretical skills to enable them to enter the tourism and hospitality industry.  In order to satisfy the course requirements the students have to complete a three month field placement. Many companies state they are too busy or have no place for students within their business.  We turn this on its head and say, karibuni (you are welcome).  We believe that these young people need an opportunity to put their newly acquired knowledge to practice within the industry.  It is only by doing that one really learns.  We also take this one step further and provide intensive on the job training to these students (in terms of work skills and life skills more often than not English language training and well as building their confidence).

In 2011 we welcomed and trained more than 12 students (we normally have 2-4 at any one time).  What’s even better for them is those who really apply themselves and show promise are offered a graduate training position at the lodge.  We currently have employed two of last year’s trainees.

Here are some of the thoughts and observations from four of our recent student trainees...

“I have learnt about the importance of presenting myself well, this includes dressing smartly and keeping clean...Students should choose Honey Badger as a centre for learning, it’s a very charitable place”

Halima Besha, aged 19 years, from Kibo College

 “The directors and all the workers are very friendly, they help us a lot”

Fransiscar Alloyce, aged 20 years, from Kibo College

 “I have worked in the kitchen and learnt about different kinds of food as well as customer care”

Ezekiel Aman, 20 years old, trainee cook from Usa river institute of tourism and hotel management

 “I have improved my confidence and learned about housekeeping, cooking, hospitality and customer care”

Digna Mwacha, aged 20 years from Aisha College

(Digna was offered a graduate training position on the front of house team)

Our aim in 2012 is to continue our student training programme as well as focus on all of our staff training.  This month we will finalise our special Honey Badger training scheme.  It is made up of 16 training modules, for each department there will be some compulsory training modules and the other ones they can select if they wish.  14 of the modules currently relate specifically to the work at Honey Badger and the remaining two focus on the personal development of the staff (health, HIV and first aid and livelihood training).  We will be welcoming in various guest trainers for the programme.  For each module the completed the staff will receive one bonus development point.  After every module the staff member will be assessed (generally practically rather than written exams), for each successful module passed the staff will receive a financial reward as well as another 5 bonus development points.  The points will be reflected in the end of year bonuses and the end of year reviews.    Managers will be given additional points for every one of their team members who successfully passes a module, in order to incentivise team spirit.

This training scheme will be piloted in the first two quarters of this year and then will be reviewed and modified accordingly.

We welcome any guests feedback on our staff throughout their visit.