CHI employees conclude 'train the trainer programme'

CHI Hotels & Resorts held a graduation ceremony at the Corinthia Hotel, St George's Bay to award proficiency certificates to 37 departmental operational coaches from its Malta hotels who have concluded an intensive "Reach for the Stars" train the trainer programme.

This was developed by the company's corporate talent division as one of the modules of a more comprehensive set of 123s included in CHI's newly launched corporate operational training manual, which has been endorsed by the Institute of Hospitality Industry of the United Kingdom.

Under the guidance of training and development manager Petra Ellul-Mercer, a nucleus of specialised trainers were selected on the criteria of their positive work attitude, willingness to help others, service delivery skills and excellent job knowledge. They will now be imparting their newly gained training skills and CHI's company values to all their colleagues at their place of work. They were then presented with their certificates by CHI's chief executive officer and managing director Tony Potter, in the presence of Corinthia Group co-founders Joe Pisani, George Pisani and Victor Pisani.

Congratulating the newly qualified trainers Mr Potter commented: "At a time when the industry is experiencing a lull in business due to the current economic situation, it is encouraging to see so much trust, initiative and enthusiasm emerge from our very own ranks, both in terms of our talent teams at our corporate office and our hotels across all our brands, namely Corinthia, Wyndham, Ramada Plaza and independent properties.

"Many team members are heeding our call to come forward and grasp this opportunity to improve their skills and train their colleagues in readiness for the upsurge in business levels that is bound to follow these lean times."

During the ceremony another key training programme was launched, targeting specifically the international Corinthia five-star brand. The Spirit of Corinthia Hospitality Worldwide is a cultural training programme focusing on all team members, including top management. It is due to be launched within the third quarter of this year.

Based in Malta, CHI Hotels & Resorts is a leading hands-on hotel management company that provides the full range of technical assistance and management services to hotel owners worldwide. CHI is the exclusive operator and developer for the luxury Corinthia Hotels brand as well as the Wyndham and Ramada Plaza brands in Europe, Africa and The Middle East.

CHI Hotels & Resorts is a joint venture between International Hotel Investments plc (70 per cent) and The Wyndham Hotel Group (30 per cent).