Corinthia Hotels International has launched its international Corinthia Training Academy at the company`s flagship, the Corinthia Palace Hotel in Attard.

The academy is the first such initiative by the local private tourism sector and will provide both local and overseas Corinthia employees with internationally recognised `Edexcel` qualifications, ranging from a BTEC Intermediate award to a BTEC Advanced Professional Diploma in management.

Internationally, CHI is the first hotel chain to acquire corporate accreditation under the BTEC Framework.

The Corinthia Training Academy was officially inaugurated by CHI vice-chairman Karmenu Vella and managing director David Woodward, in the presence of Corinthia Group officials and the first group of 132 service cadets from Corinthia Hotels.

A total of 32 hand-picked trainers from Corinthia Hotels in Malta have in the last few months undergone extensive specialised tuition by Corinthia and Edexcel, a UK based and major worldwide force in the education sector.

Mr Vella said the academy was only the first step in the company`s long-term plans for the introduction of a formal education concept within Corinthia internationally, and that it plans to open academy branches in all the regions where Corinthia operates.

Corinthia Hotels International currently operates 21 hotels in Belgium, Czech Republic, Hungary, Malta, Portugal, Russia, The Gambia, Togo, Tunisia and Turkey, with two more properties opening in autumn of this year in Budapest and Tripoli.

It also operates a network of regional sales offices in France, Germany, Italy, Malta, Russia, Scandinavia, Spain, The Netherlands, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.

Corinthia Palace Hotel Company Limited owns 80 per cent of CHI Ltd, the remaining 20 per cent is owned by International Hotel Investments plc.