The 5th Annual ATSA - EPB Orientation Program Attracts over 400 Students

The Aruba Timeshare Association, ATSA, annually reaches out to the island’s Basic Vocational Schools, Tourism Sector, in both Oranjestad and St Nicolas, to invite first-year students into the resorts for an informative orientation.

ATSA embarked on the project involving EPB Hato and EPB San Nicolaas five-years ago, determined to introduce opportunities available within the hospitality sector to young Arubans.

This year’s freshmen were hosted at twelve of Aruba’s timeshare resorts for a half-day program, and interactive fun. In total, 195 students from EPB Hato and 20 of their mentors, as well as 170 from EPB San Nicolas with 18 mentors, spent time taking a close look at the workings of the hotel-industry, physically touring all hotel departments.

ATSA President, hotelier Luigi Heredia explains that ATSA’s intentions is to secure placements for the students. Some of them are already doing their internships at the hotels, and will then go on to be fully employed, post-graduation. This positive collaboration between the vocational schools and future employers is viewed by ATSA as a positive and desired partnership.

The association also wished to showcase various aspects of the local hotel industry sharing different career paths available and types of jobs that can be pursued in the industry, ranging from Food to Beverage, Administration, Secretarial positions, Maintenance, Security, Landscaping, Housekeeping, Front Desk, Sales, and IT, just to name a few!

Hospitality, the dynamic, people-oriented industry, the main economic pillar of this island, allows many successful young people to pursue excellent careers and to serve as role models for the next generation.

In inviting the students, ATSA is also interested in creating a constant, qualified workforce, preparing the next wave of managers, for their role as future leaders. The challenges of qualified labor recruitment are well-publicized here, therefore, exposing the industry to interested students at a formative age, serves to create more openings for future employment. In view of the fact that there are ongoing discussions with regards to creative implementation of labor market adjustments, schools should become more in tune with the needs of the work community and ATSA feels very strongly that flexibility in labor laws would create additional opportunities for these youngsters, jump-starting their careers, early.

Based on the overall experience gained from this effort in the past five years, it is very likely to go on indefinitely, into the future.

Host resorts included Aruba Beach Club, Casa del Mar Beach Resort, Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort, Costa Linda Beach Resort, Caribbean Palm Village Resort, Eagle Aruba Resort & Casino, La Cabana Beach Resort & Casino, La Quinta Beach Resort, Marriott Aruba Surf Club; Marriott Aruba Ocean Club; Paradise Beach Resort.