(Hong Kong - 2 June 2011) Today, a graduation ceremony for the third year of the “Ocean Park Theme Park F&B Services Trainee Programme” was held at Ocean Park. The Programme is a collaboration between Ocean Park and the Labour Department’s Youth Pre-employment Training Programme and the Youth Work Experience and Training Scheme (YPTP&YWETS), Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (HKFYG) and the Hospitality Industry Training & Development Centre (HITDC), and aims to enhance service quality for Hong Kong’s tourism and F&B industries. The ceremony celebrated the graduation of 15 trainees this year, who had attended F&B training classes in the past 9 months as well as received practical on-the-job training at Ocean Park’s restaurants and food kiosks. Ocean Park will also give hiring preference to graduates of this programme.
Alex Man Chi-fung, one of the graduates, said, “After Form 5 graduation, I studied at IVE and had been looking for opportunities to work and study at the same time. The chance came last year when I learned about Ocean Park’s training programme through the Labour Department. The programme suits me very well as I love visiting Ocean Park. My family is also glad that I am able to start my career in a big corporation like Ocean Park. The programme offers a nice combination of theory and practice and I am proud to stand today as one of its graduates.”
One of the graduates from last year Chiu Choi-hang is now working at the Park’s F&B Department. He recalled, “I’ve established close bonds with my fellow colleagues at Ocean Park when I was a trainee, so I chose to re-join the big family after the end of the training. In the past year, I am proud to be involved in preparing for the opening of two new F&B outlets at Aqua City – Aqua City Bakery and Neptune’s Restaurant, as well as designing special drinks for Neptune’s. Besides, I received ample support from my supervisor to attend coffee-making courses outside of the Park. I am thankful for all the opportunities the Park has given me, particularly the teachings of our restaurant managers and teachers at the Hospitality Industry Training and Development Centre.”
Mr. Matthias Li, Deputy Chief Executive of Ocean Park, said, “We are very pleased to collaborate once again with the Labor Department, Hospitality Industry Training and Development Centre, the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups as well as numerous instructors in hosting this programme. Through Ocean Park’s unique array of resources and operation environment, we hope to attract more young people to undergo training in the F&B services industry and become future pillars of our society. In the coming year, we will introduce fine-dining services into the training module, with an aim to provide a more comprehensive set of knowledge and technical training to the students. In addition to enhancing the curriculum, Ocean Park is also planning to significantly increase the total amount of money invested into this programme, doubling from last year’s HK$1.4 million (including student salary, HITDC course fee, staff benefits, etc) to over HK$3.0 million.”
Mr. Li added, “All 15 students graduating from this year’s programme have expressed a desire to continue working for Ocean Park. As with previous years, we will give hiring preference to students of this program. Among last year’s graduates, 8 have continued to work with us. We hope that more young people will take this valuable learning opportunity and enroll in our programme next year.”
The graduation ceremony took place in Panda Cafe, Ocean Park, where trainees shared their memorable experiences during class and practice. Some demonstrated the preparation of popcorns and a special drink themed after the Rainforest, with the VIPs in presence greatly impressed. Four exceptional trainees were given the following awards:
Outstanding Trainee Award: Leung Ka-lai
Best Progress Award: Alex Man Chi-fung, Eddie Yu Kar-yin
Best Academic Award: Michael Tsui Kai-wang
The “Ocean Park Theme Park F&B Services Trainee Programme” is a programme tailor-made by Ocean Park in support of YPTP&YWETS for aspiring young people who are interested in the F&B profession. Since the Programme’s inception in 2008, a total of 55 trainees have graduated at Ocean Park, with many of them being recruited by Ocean Park after graduation.
A new series of the “Ocean Park Theme Park F&B Services Trainee Programme” will be open to enrolment in July and training will begin in September. Details will be announced later. Applicants should meet the following selection criteria:
- Aged 15 to 24
- Form 3 or above but below Associate-degree level
- Interest in engaging in the Food & Beverage industry
- Speaks fluent Cantonese, basic English and Putonghua
- Outgoing, polite and responsible
- Enjoy an outdoor working environment and able to work in shifts
Stay tuned to the web sites of Ocean Park, Labour Department and HKFYG if you are interested.
