NDB Jeevana gives flight to Pradeepa’s dreams

• ‘Jeevana’ initiative empowers hospitality trade in north and east

Pradeepa Janette of Trincomalee was part of the first batch to graduate from the NDB ‘Jeevana’ course in hospitality management offered in collaboration with the International Hotel School of Mount Lavinia.

Pradeepa comes from a family of four siblings and is in the business of making savoury treats (murukku) as their livelihood. The only girl in a batch of 29 boys at the 2010 September intake, Pradeepa previously received both primary and secondary education at St. Mary’s College in Trincomalee. 

The NDB ‘Jeevana’ hospitality management training course grants students a loan at a subsidised rate, to pursue a comprehensive course in hospitality. The six month course offers four months of theory and two months of practical exposure for students.

“We receive our practical training at hotels that have four or more stars, and this prepares us to gear up for what is expected in the future. While I received my initial training stint at Chaaya Blu in Trincomalee and moved onto Maalu Maalu as a restaurant stewardess, currently I’m working as a Senior Waitress in Ugabay, Passikudah. The course has opened me up to numerous opportunities to benefit my future.”

Subsequently after completing her theory course, she was sent for practical exposure at Nilaweli Chaaya Blu Hotel, specialising in pastry. Realising that her inspiration and expertise came from servicing, she moved on to Hotel Maalu Maalu, with excellent recommendations from her superiors. “I am extremely grateful to NDB ‘Jeevana’ for extending me this opportunity to achieve my dreams. I have always wanted to be in the hospitality trade and NDB ‘Jeevana’ has brought me one step closer to achieving this. NDB ‘Jeevana’ provides the ideal platform to jumpstart a career in the field of hospitality and through this I aspire to someday become an F&B Manager at a leading hotel.” Persistent and driven, Pradeepa has now reached great heights in her career, being offered the opportunity of working at Blue Scope Hotel in Switzerland as a Restaurant Executive. NDB ‘Jeevana’ has not only paved the way for Pradeepa’s dreams to take flight, but her sister Anne was also part of the second batch of graduates for NDB ‘Jeevana’ after realising the potential and opportunities that arise from following the course.