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WelTec graduation spans the Pacific

Click to enlargeWelTec Project Coordinator, Stephen Pope; Director Human Resource and Development (Cook Island Government) Frances Topa-Apera; Cook Islands Prime Minister, Jim Marurai; WelTec Executive Dean, Julia Hennessey; Head of School Cherie Freeman and Project Coordinator.

Wellington Institute of Technology’s (WelTec) graduation ceremonies extended as far as the Cook Islands this month with ceremonies spanning Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Rarotonga.

WelTec staff joined Acting Prime Minister and Queens Representative and the New Zealand High Commissioner at the National Auditorium of Rarotonga. There, students graduated with a Certificate in Culinary Arts (Level 4) and Certificate Food and Beverage Service (Level 4) - creating a much needed supply of newly qualified, professional hospitality graduates for the country.

WelTec has partnered with the Cook Island Government to deliver training in the areas of tourism and hospitality at the Cook Island Hospitality Tourism Training Centre where WelTec staff deliver NZQA and City & Guilds accredited qualifications in-line with the School of Hospitality and Tourism in Wellington.

“WelTec has a number of international relationships and the School of Hospitality and Tourism counts the Cook Islands government as one of its most important partners” says Project Coordinator, Stephen Pope. The partnership is set to continue in 2010 with 24 students currently enrolled in front of house and cookery programmes.

“The most important aspect of this agreement is that WelTec understands that the Cook Islands need to focus on training and retaining graduates. The opportunity is unparallelled for the people of the Cook Islands, giving students the opportunity to gain internationally recognised qualifications while training in their own facilities. Once qualified, they’ll provide the skilled staff greatly needed for the hospitality and tourism industry”, says Mr Pope.

Not surprisingly, hospitality and tourism is a substantial earner for the islands. Over 75,000 people visit the Cook Islands annually, which contributes to 40% of the country’s GDP.

Mr Pope explains, “hospitality training is a global industry and the need for an international standard of professionalism has been recognised by WelTec and supported by international student and tutor exchanges, international work experience opportunities and joint academic collaborations. In these uncertain economic times it is critical that international partnerships are enhanced for the development of our students, graduates and for the benefit of our own economic growth.”

ENDS

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