Sandals Resorts marked a proud moment in its commitment to professional development across the Caribbean with the hosting of the Sandals Corporate University (SCU)graduation ceremony in Curaçao for the very first time. The milestone event celebrated a cohort of 21 dedicated team members who successfully completed a Diploma in Hospitality Leadership.
Delivering the welcome address at the ceremony, Jeffrey Speelman, general manager of Sandals Royal Curaçao, praised the graduates for their resilience and ambition, “you have taken the initiative to invest in your own development, and in doing so, you’ve taken a powerful step forward – not just in your careers, but in your lives” Speelman noted.
Highlighting the event was Curaçao’s own N’Gai Martina, who not only graduated with distinction, but was also named valedictorian of the graduating class of 21 – an inspiring achievement that underscores the growing talent and potential within the island’s hospitality sector. “As someone who has worked in the hospitality industry for over 20 years, I can say without a doubt that this has been one of the most rewarding and meaningful experiences of my career” Martina said.
The SCU’s Hospitality Management Programme, delivered in collaboration with internationally recognized academic institutions, equips team members with leadership, operations and customer service training aligned with global standards. The programme is designed to empower Caribbean nationals with skills to rise through the ranks of tourism industry while reinforcing Sandals’ continued investment in the future of Caribbean tourism, which contributes largely to the employment across the region and remains a cornerstone of economic growth.
Amplifying Sandals’ commitment to enriching and developing its team members across the Caribbean, the Sandals Corporate University (SCU) hosts a flagship programme for leadership development, facilitated in partnership with Florida International University’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management and Accelerating Leaders. This six-month programme challenges entry- and mid-level managers to apply new business knowledge, gain advanced managerial skills, and exercise leadership behaviours as they perform their current roles and prepare for increasing responsibility.
The event concluded with celebrations among (visiting) graduates, families, special guests, industry partners, and Sandals leaders, as the company reaffirmed its vision of building not just resorts, but lifelong careers rooted in education, opportunity and regional pride.
