The Hindu Business Line : Move to eradicate child labour — AP Hotel association plans training programme

IN an innovative plan to tackle the problem of child labour and shortage of trained manpower in the middle-level hotel segment, Andhra Pradesh Hotels Association has come out with a proposal to open `Nala Bheema Paka Pathasala' to train child labour in several hospitality services.

"Lack of trained manpower dogs middle-end hotels in the State. While helping the child labour to overcome their problems, we seek to address the problem of lack of quality Telugu-speaking personnel in the hotel industry," Mr K.C. Kalkura, the former president of association who put forward the proposal, told Business Line.

The association has approached the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Government of Andhra Pradesh for financial help.

The draft plan, prepared in association with National Institute of Nutrition and Institute of Catering and Hotel Management, observes that the products of catering colleges and hotel management institutions found it difficult to adjust themselves to the South Indian middle class restaurants, and in some cases, even the two-star hotels.

"While the primary aim is to make the students acceptable by the hospitality industry, we will try to get recognition from the Government or the universities concerned," he said.

"There is no dearth of places for practical training. There are a number of marriage hotels and budget hotels where they can get practical training," he said.

The proposal sought to give training in cooking, store keeping, serving, housekeeping and management among others.

Well-experienced hoteliers, academicians and nutrition experts could be roped in for teaching the students.

The plan suggested by the association saw a self-sustaining revenue model, wherein; students are charged a nominal fee ranging from Rs 500-Rs 1,500 for different courses.

"After five years of establishment, the school will become self-sufficient. The immediate requirement for setting up the unit is Rs 15 lakh," the proposal said.

At a later stage, the model can be replicated in district headquarters, it added.

More Stories on : Hotels | Children & Parenting | Andhra Pradesh

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