Sandals Resorts International (SRI) has communicated that its recruitment drive coming in the next couple of weeks for a planned Beaches Resort on the island will see 500 Vincentians being employed for a planned Beaches Resort on the island that has been destabilized by explosive eruptions at La Soufrière volcano.
A statement from the company quoting the Executive Chairman Adam Stewart said they were fast-tracking plans for employment and training opportunities “in light of the displacement many are experiencing due to the volcanic eruption.”
Stewart, an executive chairman of SVG Sun, stated that Sandals Resorts International is committed to supporting the people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, especially during these challenging times and remain “even more committed to delivering on this exciting Beaches project”.
In 2020, Sandals announced plans to bring its Beaches brand to St Vincent, which promises to unlock economic opportunities for the Eastern Caribbean island. The recruitment drive ahead of its planned resort opening is but the first move towards fulfilling this promise, according to Stewart.
“Increased employment, which will continue throughout construction and beyond, is only one aspect of the massive economic footprint the Beaches brand will bring to St Vincent and the Grenadines,” Stewart said. “The economic benefits will be significant — from increased airlift benefiting all surrounding islands, to direct and indirect linkages to critical sectors such as transportation, tours and excursions, agriculture and manufacturing.”
Sandals reiterated its continuous commitment towards providing nationals of the Caribbean with training and employment opportunities, stating that the upcoming recruitment drive is a manifestation of its commitment across the region under its Team Member Exchange Programme.
“Qualified Vincentians will be encouraged to apply for a raft of positions across the region which will be advertised in the coming week, ranging from bartenders and cooks to concierge and front desk agents and restaurant managers. Applications will be accepted by e-mail, and, after that, shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview with successful candidates placed at various resorts across the region,” the company explained.
“We are very excited to get this programme underway,” Stewart said. “The successful applicants will be the very ones who will come back to lead and train other Vincentians when we officially open Beaches St Vincent and, as a company built on training and development, we look forward to what will be a full-circle moment for these team members.”
This is not the first of Sandals’ support towards this crisis. Through its non-profit arm, Sandals Foundation, Sandals has been involved in post-eruption relief efforts, working closely with local authorities to provide support.
Sandals Resort has announced several exciting new projects for 2021, and Beaches St Vincent is just one of them. Over 5000 jobs are expected to be created in the next five years when new resorts are opened in Jamaica, Curaçao, and St Lucia.
