Nadi, Fiji: In an era of global recovery post-Covid-19, the Marriott International Fiji Hotel’s Human Resources Team achieved a remarkable feat, clinching two prestigious Marriott International awards – the Highest Marriott Development Academy (MDA) Enrolment Award and the Training Leadership Award for 2022 within Asia Pacific Excluding Greater China region.
Led by Neeraj Chadha, Multi-Property Vice President Pacific Islands, Marriott International and General Manager of Sheraton & Westin Resorts – Fiji Complex, and Farrah Shazleen, Market Director of Human Resources – Fiji & Samoa, the Human Resources team embarked on a ground-breaking venture in 2021 with the establishment of the Fiji Marriott Training Academy. This initiative marked the first-ever training academy operated by a hotel chain in Fiji, demonstrating a commitment to community development and a testament to Marriott’s philosophy of improving the communities in which it operates.
The academy aimed to address a skills gap in the traditional landowners’ community, where hotels are located. Despite funding challenges, the leadership team dedicated non-paid hours and volunteer trainers to bring this transformative program to life. The success parameters went beyond conventional metrics, encompassing talented associates, exceptional guest service, improved associate engagement, community contribution, and empowering trainees.
The historic launch on November 15, 2021, marked the beginning of a journey to uplift and empower communities, leading to a refined program in 2022. A total of 100 trainees successfully graduated, completing over 5,200 hours of blended training and professional development.
The Marriott International Fiji Hotel’s Human Resources Team’s commitment to continuous improvement resulted in the prestigious Training Leadership Award for 2022. This recognition reflects the team’s dedication to exceeding industry standards and sets a benchmark for
training leadership across the region.
Neeraj Chadha, Multi-Property Vice President Pacific Islands, Marriott International and General Manager of Sheraton & Westin Resorts – Fiji Complex said: “Empowering our communities through education and fostering excellence have been our guiding principles at Marriott International Fiji Hotels. These accolades reflect not only our achievements but our dedication to community development and industry driven education. As we embark on the next chapter with Fiji Marriott Training Academy 3.0, we aim to set new standards, make waves in skills certification, and continue being a beacon of innovation and dedication in our region.”
Fiji Marriott Training Academy 3.0: A New Chapter of Growth and Structure in 2023 In 2023, the academy embraced a period of expansion and a more structured approach with Fiji Marriott Training Academy 3.0. The curriculum underwent refinement based on insights from graduated cohorts, incorporating real-world learnings to ensure dynamic responsiveness to industry needs.
Recognising the significance of personalised coaching, the academy acquired specialized course trainers into the Learning & Development team, focusing on individualised coaching and community development. Shivaneel Gounder, Complex Learning & Development Manager at Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort actively conducted theory based training sessions and provided practical supervision for other cohorts, ensuring the maintenance of high-quality and consistent training standards.
Shivaneel’ s efforts resulted in the hotel’s enrolment boost and a notable position in skills certification within the Asia Pacific Excluding Greater China (APEC) region. The resort currently boasts one of the highest numbers of enrolments and course completions in the APEC region in Quarter 3, 2023. With a total enrolment of 137 and 112 courses successfully completed, Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort is making waves in the realm of skills certification.
From inception to excellence, the Fiji Marriott Training Academy continues to thrive as a beacon of innovation and dedication, setting new standards for industry-driven education and community building. Marriott International reaffirms its commitment to excellence in training and development, making waves in the realm of skills certification and community impact.
Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association
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