TWO former students from Action in Autism (AiA), both with a passion for hospitality, were chosen for a year-long internship at Hilton Garden Inn Umhlanga Arch which commenced in February.
Also read: Playing is serious business in learning for Durban North organisation
Simon Grobler and Kaveer Lutchman are learning the ropes of how a hotel operates and have already completed their time in laundry services. They are now looking forward to gaining new skills in the Food and Beverages Department.
Speaking to Northglen News, Grobler said he was nervous about the internship at first, but that dissipated, and he is now fully embracing this new learning curve.
“It’s a very new experience, but I am learning something new every day, and I look forward to coming to work,” he said.
According to him, the challenge at first was integrating into the workforce as it was not something he was familiar with. Although AiA’s Shahumna Centre provided him with skills, it was not related to the industry, so finding his feet in the beginning proved difficult.
“We were taught social skills and about customer care at Shuhumna Centre, which I am applying during my internship here at Hilton Garden Inn Umhlanga Arch, but the rest is new to me, and I am happy to learn,” he added.
Lutchman echoed Grobler’s sentiments, saying that he was happy for the exposure in the hospitality industry.
“The Hilton Garden Inn Umhlanga Arch team has been very accommodating of our needs which we are extremely grateful for. We are also given time to adjust as we move from one rotation to the next, just so the transition is easier on us. The vibe is good, and the people here are really accepting of our needs,” he said.
After completing their food and beverage rotation, they will also train in other operational departments, including engineering and the Front Office Department before completing their placement in February 2025.
Justin Singh, the people operations manager of Hilton Garden Inn Umhlanga Arch, said: “Offering Lutchman and Grobler an internship reinforces our commitment towards training young people who are the next generation of hospitality leaders.”
Singh explained how the students were chosen for the internship at the hotel.
“We were looking to collaborate with a local partner to enhance our community involvement as part of Hilton’s Travel with Purpose Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy. A family member of one of our team members attended and graduated from the Shahumna Centre, which led to us approaching the school to explore partnership opportunities,” he added.
Prior to Lutchman and Grobler starting their internship, team members of the hotel attended training sessions conducted by Nadia Bhayat, the AiA director, and Ashvir Dalu, the manager of the Shahumna Centre Skills Transfer and Business Hub, to ensure they were all equipped with the required knowledge and skills to work with people living with autism.
The internship encompasses students receiving exposure in various operational departments and building an overall foundation in hospitality.
For more from Northglen News, follow us on Facebook, X or Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.
