IHG invests in management development training

Last month, Island Hotels Group Holdings certified 40 of its managers in skills for life, following an intensive six-month training course.

'Skills for Life' is a personal and professional development programme that covers various essential soft skills necessary for effective people management. The programme was designed and delivered by Patrick Psaila, a registered psychologist and training consultant, to address specific issues in line with the group's strong family values, aiming to view people holistically as individuals and not just employees.

The programme is delivered using a practical and experiential approach to give participants plenty of opportunities to bring personal and professional challenges into the sessions, encouraging a healthy exchange of experiences and ideas among the delegates.

The aim of the extended duration of the training was to achieve a drip-feed effect of continuous professional development throughout which time each delegate was given the assistance of a personal mentor.

Christina Galea, the group's director of HR says, "The company's vision is clearly for future growth, which will lead to many opportunities for staff to develop in their careers. The investment being made in training and development is aimed at preparing our people for the exciting times ahead."

During the launch and certification ceremony at Radisson Blu, St Julian's, Beathe Jeanette Lunde, senior vice-president, People Development and Franchise Operations, The Rezidor Group, addressed the delegates and shared her own experience and appreciation of how programmes similar to 'Skills for Life' helped her in her own career progression over the years.

Her advice to the delegates was to embrace such opportunities for self-development and personal improvement.