Sept. 24, 2007 — Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort was looking for a few good employees, so they held a job fair and the public responded.
It was really successful," said Assistant General Manager Kevin Jackson. "We saw a full spectrum of individuals inquiring about jobs available at the resort.
The four-hour job fair was held Saturday in one of the lower level conference rooms. About 30 people attended, had their skills assessed and got a chance to speak to managers of various departments.
Jackson explained the event was more than a job fair. It was a pre-screening for potential employees to find out their strengths and interests and interact with the managers, he said.
If there is a will there is a way, Jackson said, acknowledging that just getting to the resort is sometimes a challenge. Divi is a located near the easternmost point of St. Croix and no public transportation is available.
The resort does, however, provide limited transportation for employees. A van travels from Mars Hill in Frederiksted to the resort, picking up employees along the way, Jackson said. He said employees working the evening shift often carpool.
Joe Keir was one of the applicants and hopes to be employed as a chef. He said he is back home after working in restaurants in Italy and New York.
I started in dentistry but Ive always loved cooking, Keir said. His resume bears that out, with culinary studies in Rome and the New York French Culinary Institute — plus a stint at the late, lamented Lutece in Manhattan, a four-star bastion of classic French cooking.
Human Resources Manager Vanessa Paul said the main obstacle to hiring quality help is that many residents don't look at the broader picture of the service industry.
Its not just a day-to-day task, its about the love of St. Croix, she said. Paul said hospitality studies should be incorporated into the school system from elementary grades to create ambassadors for the island.
The Divi has been named one of the best large hotels in the Caribbean by readers of Caribbean Travel & Life Magazine. It boasts 180 beachfront guest rooms with ocean-view villas and suites.
For more information, visit the Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort website.
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