March 31, 2008 — With the help of the Legislature and the West Indian Co., the V.I Hotel and Tourism Association is taking applications for its sixth annual summer employment program.
The objective of the six-week program is to provide a meaningful learning experience for high school and college students while stimulating interest in careers in the hospitality and tourism industry. In past years more than 300 students participated in the program.
Last year 70 students participated in the program, said Nicole Friday, marketing assistant for the association.
"We place students according to their interest," she said.
Sstudents might work in offices or at Coral World's shark tank, among other places. All jobs are with members and allied members of the association. They include hotels, retail shops and restaurants.
The summer program is open to high school and college students ages 16 to 21.
Students must pick up applications at the offices of any St. Thomas/St. John senator or at WICO, Friday said. Applications will be available Tuesday and must be returned by May 2.
Students who get their applications at the WICO office will have their salaries paid by WICO, Friday said. They will work eight hours per day.
Those that get them from the senators' offices have three weeks of their salaries paid by the Senate and three weeks by the employer. They work a minimum of six hours per day. High school students earn $6.15 an hour, while college students get $7.25 an hour.
The students will be selected by a team of human resources professionals. Selected students are required to take part in an interview, orientation and awards luncheon at the end of the program. During the six weeks, biweekly evaluation reports are submitted to the Hotel Association regarding the students' performance.
Employers should let the Hotel Association know by May 19 how many students they will hire and in what positions.
For more information, call Friday at 774-6835.
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