Dart collaborates with Lynn University on hospitality training for young Caymanians

Dart has announced a collaboration with Florida-based Lynn University to enhance the syllabus of the Dart Hospitality Training Programme, which provides young Caymanians with three months of paid on-the-job training and exposure across a variety of roles in one of the main pillars of the Cayman Islands economy.

As part of the emerging collaboration, a faculty member from Lynn University’s hospitality programme will be delivering two-weeks of valuable curriculum. This allows participants to get training from an accredited institution to bolster the already attractive learning opportunities across Dart’s portfolio of hotels, including Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa, The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman and Hampton by Hilton, Grand Cayman.

“We are thrilled to be able to leverage this emerging relationship with Lynn University to bolster the learning opportunities to create a new generation of Caymanian tourism ambassadors,” said Dart Chief of Staff Joanne Lawson. “As we grow this programme, we will continually look at ways to improve and one natural step was to partner with an accredited institution that has a track record of helping students build the intellectual flexibility and experience to fulfil their potential in an ever-changing world.”

The collaboration will begin with the second edition of the programme, which is scheduled for 9 August to 3 November 2023. A key addition will be the in-person training by Lynn University’s Assistant Professor Dr. Karima Lanfranco designed to expose participants to and improve their understanding of a variety of positions in front and back of house operations. Topics will include hotel etiquette, guest relations, problem solving and others before participants begin formal on-the-job training in each of the hotels.

“At Lynn University, we are thrilled to be collaborating with Dart to further enhance the already robust Dart Hospitality Training Programme by providing world-class instruction to these young people,” said Katrina Carter-Tellison, vice president of academic affairs at Lynn University. “Our Hospitality Management curriculum provides a foundation for future success in an ever-changing world. To be able to provide some of this academic expertise alongside the in-house professionals at the Dart-owned properties will help create unique learning experiences.”

Participants are selected from a pool of Caymanian applicants aged 17-30 years. Over the course of three months, they will receive a minimum of 30 hours of paid work per week and full basic insurance coverage. The programme begins with two weeks of employability training, four weeks of rotation in various roles and six weeks of position-specific training in one of the following areas: guest services, food and beverage, pool, beach, and recreation attendant.

Upon completion of the course, trainees receive a certificate recognising course completion, a bonus, and the opportunity for full-time employment for those who excelled in the programme. This is the second year of the Dart Hospitality Training Programme. A total of 12 students successfully completed the pilot in 2022, with eight of them securing jobs at Dart-owned hotels.

“We see this as an excellent opportunity for young Caymanians to learn more about the industry, as we showcase career opportunities that exist. We want to play our part in attracting more Caymanians to the field, as they are the ideal Caymankind ambassadors to enhance the visitor experience to these lovely islands,” Lawson said.