With a financial injection of over JA$19 million, the Sandals Corporate University (SCU) moves into its second year with more support for team members of the Sandals, Beaches and Grand Pineapple Resorts across the Caribbean.

And seven team members from both Sandals Emerald Bay and Sandals Royal Bahamian are set to continue their education through the SCU.

Donathan Johnson, an environmental health and safety manager at Sandals Royal Bahamian who will be pursuing a bachelors degree in business administration, said the SCU has helped him realize his dream of furthering his education.

“I am very excited to continue my education and make myself a more valuable asset to the company,” said Mr. Johnson. “I hope to continue on to my masters degree once I’m done.”

Cedric Saunders, maintenance supervisor and team member of the year at Sandals Emerald Bay, suggested all team members take advantage of the SCU while they have the chance. He is set to enter the electrical installation programme at BTVI in January.

“It feels good,” said Mr. Saunders. “It feels like you can accomplish something and instead of settling, excel yourself. I recommend everyone take the opportunity.”

Also receiving scholarships are Akarien Dames, Renaldo Rolle, Annejeane Terrelonge, Mekelle Clark and Donella Davis.

The JA$19 million figure represents an almost five per cent increase over last year’s inaugural scholarship disbursement with 109 team members set to benefit for the 2013/2014 academic year. The SCU Scholarship initiative allows team members to undertake high school equivalency, certification, degree and doctoral programmes with SCU partners as well as open scholarships in a wide-range of disciplines.

Last year, 124 team members received scholarships through the SCU valued at over JA$14 million, with numerous individual academic successes being recorded by the beneficiaries.

Launched in March 2012, the SCU was formed on the ethos of providing team members the unique and golden opportunity to further their education through on-the-job training and partnerships with renowned universities and colleges.

With several changes already implemented and many to come, the SCU administration is confident that in its second year, the University will double its impact. SCU Registrar Mark Frederick revealed that since the launch, over 1,200 team members across the region have registered with the university, with close to 1,000 certificates issued in internal courses such as customer service, leadership, the art of selling and professional communication.

Team Members also now have access to more than 230 courses and external partnerships with 13 top-ranking local and international universities and colleges including Ryerson University, Florida International University and the University of the West Indies (Cave Hill) with several others currently being negotiated.

Among the new developments is an initiative to create more technical programmes targeting specific departments. Team members in the Food and Beverage Department, for example, are now exposed to courses uniquely tailored for their jobs and these courses will cater to staff at all levels – line staff, supervisors, middle management and executives.

Adam Stewart, chief executive officer, Sandals Resorts International revealed that this year, the SCU also began incorporating Sandals’ sister companies that fall under the ATL Group, into the Corporate University. “We are already offering foundation courses to our team members at ATL and The Jamaica Observer and I am pleased to announce that 15 scholarships were also awarded for this academic year,” he said.

Looking ahead for even greater successes, the SCU aims to increase the number of registered students from 10 per cent of the staff population to between 20 and 30 per cent over the next year.

Stewart goes on to emphasise the opportunity for growth and development. “As the SCU continues to grow, Sandals remains committed to present opportunities for our team to develop themselves academically. It is impossible to deliver exceptional quality service if you are not equipped with the attitude, skill and knowledge to do so. Sandals’ team members at all levels are able to seize the prospects which have implications for personal growth, for the growth of the company, the hospitality sector in the region and of course, the wider Caribbean economy”.