Success stories of seven dedicated workers

This is the sentiment echoed by seven devoted men and women who have come a long way in their chosen career in the tourism industry.

They were part of the localisation plan that the Ministry of Employment, Immigration and Civil Status has in place with different workplaces employing foreign workers.  The localisation plan is where a Seychellois works alongside a foreigner in a supervisory or managerial position to learn the job so that he or she can eventually replace the foreigner.  With our limited resources we have to a certain extent rely on the help coming from outside our country so that our economy can continue to progress.  The government continues to invest in the development of its people in order to have quality labour to meet demand.

The Ministry of Employment, Immigration and Civil Status wishes all of them continued success in their chosen career and encourages others to keep striving to achieve their goals.

The following are the profiles of the seven Seychellois workers.

'My parents have always supported me in every decision that I make'

Name:  Yanick Harrison

Employer: Raffles Hotel

Post: Food & Beverage Supervisor

“I decided to take up a career in the tourism industry as it provides opportunities to show some of the unique and special features of our country, thus providing new experience to guests. I started my career as a waiter with Raffles Hotel on Praslin in 2015 straight after completing my studies at the STA (Seychelles Tourism Academy). 

“It was the quality of my work and the fact that I am always ready and eager to learn and help others that got me the promotion to the post of Food & Beverage Supervisor in October 2017.  It took me only two years to get where I am at. It has not been easy especially since I am from Mahe and still relatively young but thanks to the support of my family and the company I have made it. 

“The process of understudy to eventually take over the post is challenging as you have to prove yourself to the management. I find it challenging at times when the resort introduces new processes to implement but I always find ways and means to overcome as I keep a positive mind. 

“My dream is to someday become a manager. I know that with some perseverance I will get there. For now I would wish to get some exposure at a Raffles branch overseas in order to widen my knowledge and learn new skills.

“My advice to those hoping to advance in their career is to follow your heart and keep striving until you reach your goal”.

‘If you devote yourself to what you want to achieve in life you can surely accomplish anything’

Name: Dominique Larose

Employer: Raffles Hotel

Post: Assistant Housekeeping Manager

“Since secondary school I knew that I wanted to work in the field of tourism. It all started when I joined Raffles Hotel on Praslin as my first experience.

“I was in the post of Front Office Supervisor at first, however after training in the housekeeping department I found myself to be more enthusiastic and interested to continue my career in this field. I studied atSTA from 2010 to 2012,then proceeded to do my degree to become a Shannon graduate in 2015.From there on I started my career as a Housekeeping Supervisor until I was promoted in May 2017 to the post of Assistant Housekeeping Manager, taking over from a non-Seychellois. 

 “I have always been a person who faces any challenge in a positive way. I try my hardest to ask questions that will help me in my daily duties. Treating everyone fairly and accepting criticism are my strongest points but most importantly it is my self-motivation and the support of my family and the hotel that has got me to where I am today. It has not been an easy road as the more you move up the more challenging the work becomes. 

“My message to colleagues and others looking at making it in life is to take every challenge as a way to cross to the other side. Take criticism positively and make sure you are happy in your work so that you can deliver a high level of service”.

‘Patience is a virtue’

Name:  Medna Latulipe 

Employer: Avani Hotel

Post: Learning and Development Manager

“I have been in the tourism industry for five years; at the age of 18 I started at the Seychelles Tourism Academy and I have worked in Avani for three years. After my two-year studies at STA I worked in a bank for three years after which I realised the banking job was not what I really wanted to do so I went back to the hotel.

“That was when I actually found out about the Hotel Management course at STA. After my degree at Shannon College I started in the position of Learning and Development Officer with Avani. Soon after I was promoted to the post of Learning and Development Manager.

“As Learning and Development Manager, my duties are to ensure that the whole team is receiving the appropriate training and their development plans are in place, to ensure their performance appraisals are completed on time and to identify talent. I find the job quite challenging as the ability to get people to attend trainings alongside their busy schedule is quite a challenge. To prepare for the training can also be challenging as I have to find various ways adults learn.

“During the understudy process, I received a lot of support from my supervisor which made it a very positive experience. For those coming into the plan, patience is a virtue; things do not happen overnight, motivate yourself, go the extra mile and you will be successful in life. I aspire to someday own my own training consultancy as I have a drive to develop Seychellois”.

‘My supervisor did not restrict me to only one skill in the hotel’

Name:  Alyse Athanase 

Employer: Avani Hotel

Post: Outlet Manager

“I have been working in the tourism industry for roughly 10 years now. I started off in Mauritius as a spa therapist. In 2015, I applied for a job as a spa therapist in Seychelles but was told the post was occupied though there was an opening for a waitress so I took it.

“Over some months I was promoted to outlet supervisor. This position led me through months of training and encouragement after which I was promoted to my present position as Outlet Manager.

“My job entails the ability to keep my staff up to date with changes in the hotel, feedback and training. The job also has its challenges as I work with various people of different nature and the management of people can pose a challenge.

“The understudy process was quite interesting for me as my supervisor exposed me to different departments and did not restrict me to only one skill in the hotel.

“My advice to those aspiring to occupy management positions is that whatever challenge you are faced with you need to handle it. Supervisors see your hard work and they acknowledge it even if you think it is a minor job.

“In the future, I would like to get more training and who knows? I might rise to F&B Manager, maybe I could even run my own business and my own restaurant someday”.

‘The understudy process was very positive as I learned supervisory roles’

Name:  Priscilla Monthy 

Employer: Constance Ephelia Resort

Post: Junior Assistant Restaurant Manager

“I have been in the tourism industry for 10 years and with Constance Ephelia for eight years.  I studied food and beverage at thee STA. I started as an F&B Attendant with my present employer and after some training I was promoted to different positions until my last promotion to the post of Junior Assistant Restaurant Manager. Generally my duties involve the delegation of duties and ensure the smooth running of the restaurant through supervision.

“It was my F&B Manager who is a foreigner who approached me about the localisation plan.  I felt, as a Seychellois I was being given a chance; it was frightening but also exciting. The understudy process was very positive as I learned supervisory roles and to organise people, which can be tough. I find my job exciting, interesting and challenging.

“I advise those who are on the plan and those who will be put on the plan in the future that even if work is hard and there is a lot to learn, do not give up. Take the opportunity because it will be a good thing in the future.

“For me, the next step will be to become an Assistant F&B Manager even if it will be challenging but with support I can do it”.

‘The localisation plan to me is a great idea to groom young Seychellois’

Name:  Fabienne Tirant 

Employer: H Hotel

Post: Guest Experience Manager

“I started at H Hotel in 2015 as a sales coordinator but prior to that, I have done quite a number of internships so we could say I have spent five years in the tourism industry.

“It all began when I finished school in 2010, not being so sure what I wanted to do but I knew I was a people-oriented person. I attended a hotel school in Switzerland in 2011.

“The localisation plan to me is a great idea to groom young Seychellois who are exposed to some skills. It is also a good way to bring some of the local graduates back. From the understudy process, I gained independence and resilience.

“My promotion to Guest Experience Manager came after some few years of hard work and dedication. On a day-to-day basis, I work with a team of four people; I have to go through what they have to do, I approve what is assigned to rooms, interaction with guests and feedback. I also do check-ins when reception is busy. I work on projects to improve the service of our guests and I deal with guests’ requests by emails. I quite find my job very exciting to be honest.  Some of the skills I have achieved so far are time and people management.

“For those who will be put on the programme I urge them to stay focused and be very ambitious.

“As for me, in the future I would eventually like to be a resort manager or a general manager but in the nearer future maybe the Front Office Manager”.

‘I aspire to become a resort manager or even a general manager someday’

Name:  Georgina Henry 

Employer: Four Seasons Resort

Post: Executive Administrative Assistant (PA to the General Manager)

“As a student I began studying  accounting and got a job with Barclays Bank and it was at that point that I decided banking was not for me so I changed  and applied for a job at North Island where I was employed in the laundry and housekeeping.

“On my return to Mahe, I applied at Four Seasons where there was only the post for a casual worker in the laundry so I took it. From that post there was a promotion and I was moved to supervisor after which I returned back to the laundry and handled the post of host as well.

Back then there was an English General Manager who encouraged me to apply for the post of Resort Assistant Manager. I did not know how to be a manager but I was self-motivated and supported by very encouraging colleagues to reach where I am today as the Executive Administrative Assistant (PA to the General Manager).

“For those who will be coming up in the localisation plan I will tell them; if you want something, you have to work for it. Do not expect anything to come to you on a silver platter. If you do not work yourself for it you will never get it.

“I aspire to become a resort manager or even a general manager someday”.