Dynamism of a successful youth training initiative

Many people question if a dream to win awards for a passion they pursue really does exist. For Geethma, and Damith, two youth from the Youth Trainee Programme in MLH, “the winner in bartendering” dream was just hearsay, they felt it was unattainable since both came to the hotel straight after school into a programme that MLH has been committed to and consistently paving the way for stars and where the emphasis is on creating opportunities for a better tomorrow for the Youth of Sri Lanka: Youth Training Programme at MLH.

It was an initiative begun by Prasanna Jayawardena – a dynamic GM of the MLH once upon a time and now the same dynamism or more continued by Anura Dewapura, focus on the Youth Training Programme as the priority in the list of things to do.
The program has seen youth from Trincomalee, Tangalle and even Batticaloa excel in their areas of disciplines and making their lives absolutely wonderful. Geethma and Damith were such youth who came to the hotel through the Youth Training Programme with their parents hopes of making their children’s dreams come to life. Indeed it did become reality.
At the recently held 21st Marie Brizard Cocktail Competition – Colombo Region five participants from the hotel and quite coincidently all five were Youth Trainees from the batches of 2010 and 2011, who after completing their programme have now been absorbed to the hotel team cadre bagged first and fifth place in the Classical Innovative Cocktail Competition of the 21st Marie Brizard Cocktail Competition.
This globally renowned cocktail competition begins in the regions of Sri Lanka, which then goes to the All Island event and finally takes successful youth to the global competition overseas. This is the only competition in Sri Lanka that surfaces unique creations in cocktails which showcase talent and signature creations by youth that are passionate in blends, concoctions, mixtures, and attention to detail presentation.
Although Geethma and Damith understood English and speak the language, they were not fluent enough to join the hospitality trade as they did not have any experience in the industry. But the opportunity created by the Youth Trainee Programme saw to it that their passions could come to life by the necessary skills and knowledge incorporated to their curriculum.