Westmont Hospitality Group Awarded 2010 Passport to Prosperity Ontario Employer Designation
Westmont Hospitality Group was recognized by the Ontario Minister of Education as an elite employer for supporting experiential learning in the province of Ontario
Westmont Hospitality Group was the proud recipient of the 2010 Passport to Prosperity Ontario Employer designation on Nov. 22, 2010 at a special Queen's Park event in Toronto that also marked the official launch of the first-ever Experiential Learning Week in Ontario. Westmont was recognized for its commitment to providing meaningful work opportunities through experiential learning for high school students in the province of Ontario.
Westmont Hospitality Group was the proud recipient of the 2010 Passport to Prosperity Ontario Employer designation on Nov. 22, 2010 at a special Queen's Park event in Toronto that also marked the official launch of the first-ever Experiential Learning Week in Ontario. Westmont was recognized for its commitment to providing meaningful work opportunities through experiential learning for high school students in the province of Ontario.
"We recognize that our people are our greatest asset," says Robert Pratt, chief operating officer, Westmont Hospitality Group. "Not only are we aware of the benefits received by students who participate in this program, but we also enjoy the fresh perspective and energy that students bring into the workplace. We believe this ultimately enhances the service extended to our hotel guests."
The award was presented to Robert Pratt, chief operating officer, Westmont Hospitality Group and Kaval Verma, area director of human resources, Westmont Hospitality Group at the awards ceremony on Nov. 22, 2010 by the Honourable Leona Dombrowsky, Ontario Minister of Education.
"Valuable workplace experiences give students a genuine insight into the day-to-day realities of working in a hotel and help those considering a career in hospitality to make pivotal career decisions," added Pratt.
Last year Westmont provided cooperative education placements for more than 50 students in 25 of its hotels across the province. The company also participates in career fairs and classroom presentations in addition to providing work placements at its hotels. Many students who have previously participated in these experiential learning programs now have full-time positions in a number of Westmont's Ontario hotels.
Passport to Prosperity is an Ontario-wide initiative to promote the benefits of school-work partnerships, recruit partners to work with schools, and provide resources to facilitate these partnerships, for the benefit of employers and high school students.