The Kuala Lumpur Convention Center (the Center) has welcomed its first intake from the Taylor’s University School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts’ (TCHT) Student Employment Program or STEP.
A collaborative effort between the Center and Taylor’s University, STEP aims to provide participating students with an overall understanding of the industry, the current environment and what it entails to work in it while simultaneously garnering invaluable work experience to add to their curriculum vitae or CV. It also promotes the opportunity to work with one of the region’s leading business tourism venues before they even graduate.
The seven-month, three-stage industrial training program will see participants attend multiple workshops and given on-the-job training and exposure with various departments within the Center.
Speaking at a welcome reception for the 10 students, Datuk Peter Brokenshire, general manager, Kuala Lumpur Convention Center, said that talent development was an integral part of the Center’s operations.
“We remain cognizant of the importance of, and our role in, supporting team members to develop and expand their skills set to improve and enhance their knowledge and competency in their career route,” said Brokenshire. “This STEP partnership with Taylor’s University is another avenue for us to nurture and grow a pool of talent who, we are confident, will stand out and make a point of differentiation to Malaysia’s growing hospitality and business tourism industry.”
Of the 10 undergraduates, the nine pursuing their Bachelor of Culinary Arts and Foodservice Management will join the Center’s 51-strong culinary team while the Bachelor of International Tourism Management in Event Management student will work in the Center’s dynamic event coordination department.
The Center and Taylor’s University also collaborate on student ambassador programs, internship programs and research projects.
According to Rohizat Baharum, human resource director, Kuala Lumpur Convention Center, STEP joins a number of other programs designed by the Center to nurture and retain local talent namely, the Ambassadors Program and Experiential Learning Program (ELP).
Introduced in 2005, the Ambassadors Program has enabled the Center to efficiently manage its local pool of flexible staff and at the same time establish a consistent staffing with the right skills set to meet the needs and requirements of clients and events held at the venue. To date, 6,599 ambassadors have been trained under the program. The ELP, introduced in 2009, provides on-the-job training for Diploma students. During the six-month program, students spend four days a week working at the Center and one day in the classroom at their respective college. Since its inception, a total of 216 students have been trained by the Operations Division.
