Harpo’s OLAK School of Hospitality Management opens for graduate nominations

Harpo’s / OLAK School of Hospitality & Tourism Management the one and only Industry qualification provider that enables aspirant graduates to secure an industry  triple qualification in Sri Lanka unveiled  its product bouquet to the public at a press conference yesterday at Harpo’s & OLAK School of Hospitality Management Auditorium in a fitting finale.

The school conveniently located at 546/4, Galle Road, Colombo 3 in the OLAK Group complex, a reputed education hub for management education and a provider of vocational and postgraduate studies, is a CTH approved training nucleus and the practical training will be at Harpo’s Restaurants and selected hotel venues in the city.

The Hotel school, will commence operations in first week of June 2011, the initial offering will be in F&B Service and Front Office Operations followed by Housekeeping & Basic Cookery.

The unique feature and the core benefit to a graduate in partnering with our hotel school is the triple qualification we offer for the same module, which will facilitate a graduate to sit for the local examination and obtain a local qualification from us and/or sit for two other examinations and obtain two internationally recognised qualifications. The modules we offer encapsulate the content requirement of all certifying authorities increasing the value and competitiveness of the graduate “One Course - Three Qualifications”.  Our qualifications will be offered by CTH (Confederation of Hospitality & Tourism - UK) the largest and the most popular industry qualification in the commonwealth has thus far approved only our qualifications in Sri Lanka for a core branding and Indira Group of Institutes of New Delhi is our other partner.

Asoka Jayawardana, MIH (UK) Senior Hotelier and Trainer with international experience has been appointed as the Course Director and Senior Lecturer in charge of the faculty and training operations.

The objective of the school is 3 fold: Initially to conduct 3 - 6 months and on to Diploma courses for students enrolling with the school. Secondly to undertake customised products to suit the requirements of individual organisations. Thirdly to offer On-site training for any organisation that needs training for their staff. The initial course duration will be 3 months and subsequent courses offered for 6 months with the opportunity for the students to opt for the Diploma and Higher Diploma Certifications.

Each programme covers approximately 400 guided learning hours which provides a broad introduction to theory and practical sessions giving the necessary knowledge and skills with practical experience to operate in a job. English Classes are also included in the course module to build confidence for the student to work in this industry when dealing with foreign clientele

Once the classroom sessions are completed for all of the above courses the candidates will be sent to a hotel and or Harpo’s Cafes & Restaurants for practical On the Job Training. 

The candidate has the unique opportunity of receiving 2 certificates in addition to our own. Certification by CTH (Confederation of Hospitality & Tourism - UK)  and Indira Group of Institutes (IGI) which  is one of the premier educational centres of India with a golden blend of world class infrastructures and top quality education meeting global standards.

Course Director and Senior Lecturer Jayawardana prior to taking up this position has been a Consultant in Hospitality Management and visiting Snr. lecturer in Hospitality Talent Development Institutions in SL and a Graduate of the International Hotel School, Tokyo, Japan. He holds full membership of The Institute of Hospitality (MIH-UK) formally Hotel Catering & International Management Association (MHCIMA) of United Kingdom and a Life member OPA –SL (Organisation of Professional Associations).

Asoka brings with him over 35 years of work experience in Sri Lanka, Japan , United Kingdom, Bahrain and Kuwait having worked for International Hotel chains namely, InterContinental Hotels®, Ramada International Hotels® (Setting up the Regional Training Centre in the Middle East )and Holiday Inn Worldwide®-Crown Plaza Hotels & Resorts  in the capacity of Training Manager, Personnel & Training Manager (ME).

 He has also being certified as Master Trainer by the respective Hotels to conduct their Corporate International Workshops whilst covering workshops in Europe and the Asian region. He is also a member in the Executive Advisory Board Committee in the Hotel & Catering Trade, National Curriculum Development Board –NAITA Sri Lanka and a Certified Master Trainer South Asia Tourism Secretariat (SATS), South Asia Integrated Tourism Human Resource Development programme supported by the European Commission. 

He has held the position of General Manager in Resort Hotels in Sri Lanka, Human Resource & Training Manager in a premier Blue Chip company in Sri Lanka for 10 years and as the Director of Human Resource & Training in a group of Hotel companies.