Tawfiq: Bright prospects in the hospitality sector
Published on: Thursday, April 28, 2016
Kota Kinabalu: Those in the hospitality and food and beverage sectors can expect better opportunities, in terms of career enhancement, to come their way over the next few years. Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Tawfiq Abu Bakar said the prospects are bright, even for those who are organisationally at the bottom, thanks to the boom in the local tourism industry which will see more hotels built in the State. "Note the rapid developments in the city, the Sabah International Convention Center, which is expected to be completed in one or two years' time, a few hotels will be built there. ADVERTISEMENT "And in the nearest time, more hotels and resorts will be developed under the Tanjung Aru Eco Development," he said here on Wednesday. Tawfiq said this during the Certificate of Skills Proficiency in Food and Beverage Service, City and Guilds, United Kingdom handing ceremony by the Ascot Academy here. Also present were Youth and Sports Ministry Permanent Secretary Awang Damit Awang Anak, Ascot Academy Chief Executive Officer Abdul Razak Egoh, as well as the 25 trainees fully-sponsored by the Ministry to undertake the course at Ascot Academy and their parents. The trainees come from the low income families and the rural areas. ADVERTISEMENT He said their opportunities to move up the ranks are certain as the Sabah tourism industry remained resilient, which saw it easily rebound in a few months after it had been impacted by several incidences. However, Tawfiq reminded them that they have to be prepared.
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"Do not waste your free time. Do something that may add value to your resume. Improve on your English. Pick up a third foreign language like Korean or Spanish. "This will enhance your marketability that when you put yourself in the market again, employers would not hesitate to hire you," said Tawfiq, adding that they have to dream big and plan their career goals. He also noted the ministry will maintain the number of its sponsored students to Ascot Academy, saying they could not increase the number as the State's finances were impacted by the drop in global oil prices. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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Earlier, Abdul Razak noted 80 per cent of their trainees obtained job placements in hotels in the State, as well as the Peninsular Malaysia even before they had completed their course.