The H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) college Virgin Gorda Center has announced plans to expand its programme offerings to include both Marine and Maritime Studies and Culinary and Hospitality Studies to the Virgin Gorda community, in keeping with the demands of the hospitality industry. Photo: HLSCC

Director of the HLSCC Virgin Gorda Centre, Dr. Steve Lennard said that the college gauged the interest and demand from the Virgin Gorda community and has seen the need to expand its programme offerings to support the marine and hospitality industry moving forward. Photo: Facebook/File

According to a press release today, December 21, 2022, the Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr Arlene L. Smith-Thompson said, “The offering of short courses in Marine and Hospitality Education at our Virgin Gorda Centre fulfils part of the HLSCC’s strategic goals to make programmes and courses available for a diverse range of constituents. In the near future, we intend to extend these programme offerings to our other sister islands of Jost van Dyke and Anegada.”

Director of the HLSCC Virgin Gorda Centre, Dr Steve Lennard said the college gauged the interest and demand from the Virgin Gorda community and has seen the need to expand its programme offerings to support the marine and hospitality industry moving forward. 

He added that the island is the mecca for hospitality services and therefore, to accommodate for the community it serves, the HLSCC Virgin Gorda Centre will be expanding its offerings to focus on supporting the community with programmes and training that support the industry and its stakeholders.

“We’re excited about this new endeavour and can’t wait to be able to better serve the people of Virgin Gorda,” he added.

Courses to be offered

With Virgin Gorda being recognised as a top tourism destination, the College will be expanding its Culinary and Hospitality Studies offerings at the Virgin Gorda Centre to include a Certificate of Achievement in Culinary Arts, Certified Hospitality courses from the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI), industry-forward short courses and customised culinary and hospitality training and courses based on request. 

Students pursuing a Certificate of Achievement in Culinary Arts will be trained in Food Safety and Sanitation, A.M./P.M. A La Carte, Cultural Dimension of Food, Vegetarian Cooking, Menu Planning and Policy, and Garde Manager.

Certified Hospitality Courses from AHLEI will include certifications for Restaurant Servers, Kitchen Cooks, Guestroom Attendants and Front Office Agents.

Some of the Industry focused short courses will feature Customer Service for the BVI Hospitality Industry, Introduction to Bartending, Recipe Development and Pricing, BVI History and Landmarks for Taxi Drivers and Tour Operators, Cake Baking and Decorating, BVI Butler Training, Introduction to Wines and Spirits and Food and Beverage Supervision.