Leon Shi, CHI, country manager for Greater China for the Americah Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) and Bill Lu, senior director of talent acquisition, Asia Pacific, Marriott, celebrate the signing of an agreement that will provide high school hospitality graduates in China with internship and hiring opportunities with Marriott China. — Photo by Educational Institute

The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) and Marriott International have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) whereby Marriott International China will formally recognize AHLEI's Certified Hospitality and Tourism Management Professional (CHTMP) designation awarded to students who successfully complete the requirements of the Hospitality and Tourism Management Program (HTMP), AHLEI's high school hospitality curriculum.
The signing ceremony was held at the JW Marriott Hotel, Shanghai Changfeng Park. Bill Lu, senior director of talent acquisition, Asia Pacific, signed on behalf of Marriott International, while Leon Shi, CHE, country manager of operations for Greater China, signed on behalf of AHLEI. The signing was witnessed by representatives from AHLEI's China partners and several human resource executives from various properties.
Through this agreement, Marriott International China will prioritize internships and hiring opportunities to individuals holding the CHTMP certification from AHLEI and will give preferential opportunities for promotion within the organization. To qualify for the recognition, the HTMP course must be delivered by instructors who are certified by AHLEI as Certified Hospitality Instructors (CHI) and the exam must be proctored by AHLEI's provincial partners in China.
"Marriott International is glad to have more cooperation with AHLEI in China, just as Marriott International and AHLEI already have long-term cooperation in the USA," said Lu.
"AHLEI is honored to cooperate with Marriott International as a remarkable leader in the industry. Through working with Marriott associates, I am deeply impressed by Marriott's commitment to developing people, which is what AHLEI and Marriott have in common," said Shi. "We appreciate Marriott's support in recognizing the CHTMP. AHLEI will continue our endeavor of helping the industry in pursuing hospitality education excellence."

About the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI)

Established in 1953 as the nonprofit education and training arm of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), AHLEI's mission is to be the preferred provider of quality resources to educate, develop, and certify hospitality educators, students and professionals worldwide. AHLEI became part of the National Restaurant Association" Training & Certification division in 2017, connecting and leveraging the resources of two organizations that are deeply committed to a vision of career success and upward mobility for current and future hospitality, restaurant, and food service employees.

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