DISTED COLLEGE NEWS
19 January 2010

Training for staff of leading hotels

DISTED College conducted a professional development training for staff of leading hotels and resorts in Penang. 

The 16-week housekeeping operations supervisory skills programme from 3 September to 17 December 2009 was under the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) Stimulus Package in collaboration with the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Penang Chapter.  

Top performing participant, Nurul Hidayah Khoo Abdullah aka Tasha Khoo (centre), who is Holiday Inn Resort assistant housekeeper, receiving her certificate from Malaysian Association of Hotels Penang Chapter chairman Marco Battistotti (right).

Participants of the housekeeping operations supervisory skills programme of which DISTED was the training provider. With them includes trainer Sydney David Marshall De Silva (third row, left).

“The programme upgraded the skills of the hotel workforce to increase their productivity in the area of housekeeping,” said project coordinator Josephine Chan Ie Lyn, who is DISTED administration manager. 

“It’s really fantastic that NCIA is funding such training initiatives as employers need to upgrade and re-skill their workers whose self-development will help them to move up the career ladder. 

“With the support of MAH Penang Chapter chairman Mr Marco Battistotti and the various hospitality establishments’ general managers, the programme turned out to be a huge success,” she said. 

The participants presenting their ideas on recycling during the business communication training session.

Hotel Equatorial assistant executive housekeeper Lim Tek Kuan (right) and her team presenting their recycling project.

The 24 participants were from Bayview Beach Resort, Berjaya Georgetown Hotel, Cititel Hotel, Hotel Equatorial, G Hotel, Golden Sands Resort, Holiday Inn Resort, Hydro Hotel, Naza Hotel, Paradise Sandy Bay Beach Resort, Parkroyal Hotel, and Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa. 

Hotel Equatorial human resource director Emma Saw noted: “What I heard from the participants was that the programme was very good with interesting training style that they had not experienced before.” 

“They had learnt a lot from one another especially those from the other hotels,” she added. 

DISTED lecturer Ravichandran Sellakannu (standing) conducting a training for the hotel staff.

A group project presentation by the participants.

Mohamad Rosli, G Hotel laundry supervisor, said: “We were given outstanding information about the hospitality industry.” 

Hotel Equatorial assistant executive housekeeper Lim Tek Kuan added: “The pointers imparted are very practical for our daily operations.” 

Trainer Sydney David Marshall De Silva, who is DISTED hospitality lecturer, said: “The training nurtured the participants into thinking about their career prospects and their role in today’s environmental context such as stabilizing the air pollutant index.” 

“They’re now very keen in identifying chemical properties and how to overcome hazards and risks by using the proper cleaning agents,” said Sydney, who conducted the training with his colleagues Ravichandran Sellakannu and Sheila John. 

Holiday Inn Resort assistant housekeeper Nurul Hidayah Khoo Abdullah aka Tasha Khoo, agreed: “We’ve been reborn as a new generation of housekeeping personnel who will lead our respective hotels to achieve our corporate vision and mission. And don’t forget to think green!” 

Rames Machar, Hydro Hotel housekeeping supervisor, concluded: “Mr Sydney, you're the best trainer!”

The participants in a business communication activity using newspaper resource.