The Hotel Division of Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP) and the College of Professional and Continuing Education (CPCE) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) held an open day today for the SHKP Hotels x PolyU CPCE Experiential Learning Programme, attracting nearly 500 students. The programme provides more than 200 internship opportunities at nine SHKP hotels for CPCE students. 

On 21 March, SHKP and the CPCE signed a memorandum of understanding on a two-year experiential learning programme. Open to all CPCE students, the programme provides more than 500 hours of training at nine SHKP hotels: the world-class Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong; The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong, the highest hotel in the world; W Hong Kong; the Hyatt Centric Victoria Harbour Hong Kong; and five Royal brand hotels (The Royal Garden, Royal Plaza Hotel, Royal Park Hotel, Royal View Hotel and Alva Hotel by Royal). Upon completion of the internship, the students will receive a certificate of completion and will have priority in being considered for full-time positions at these hotels after graduation.

The open day was held at PolyU CPCE’s West Kowloon Campus. At the booths set up by the nine hotels, students interacted face to face with hotel staff to learn more about the unique culture of the SHKP hotels, the relevant job opportunities, career paths and the latest developments in the industry. 

Michael Lam, Deputy Vice President (Asset Management), Hotel Division of SHKP, said: “The hotel industry has strong demand for manpower, as the number of visitors has shot up since the removal of all anti-pandemic measures. The CPCE provides a wide range of courses, and the experiential learning programme is open to students from all disciplines. SHKP hopes that the internship programme will encourage more students to join the industry, providing new blood and creating a win-win situation for both the hotels and the students.”  

Professor Warren Chiu, Associate Dean (Education) of the CPCE, said: “The CPCE is honoured to collaborate with SHKP hotels to provide our students with valuable internship opportunities for them to unleash their potential and hone their professional skills before entering the workplace. The extensive work experience that they gain during the internships will certainly boost their competitiveness and lay a solid foundation for their careers.”  

Dr Macy Wong, Head of Employability Services of the CPCE, said: “Given the stiff competition in the job market, it is not easy for students to stand out in a job interview if they have only academic knowledge and no practical experience. Internships are very good for students, as they equip them with practical skills and provide them with a better understanding of the workplace culture and what a job really entails. The CPCE has been forging a close relationship with enterprises to provide students with more internship programmes. This experience will surely broaden their horizons and help them prepare for future challenges.”

Elise Lau, Director of Human Resources of The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong, shared some tips on job hunting: “The hotel industry is a service industry through and through. We pay special attention to the attitude of applicants in job interviews. Candidates stand a better chance if they can demonstrate that they are proactive and eager to help.” Debby Leung, Area Human Resources Manager of the Royal Plaza Hotel, talked about the arrangements of the internship programme: “We understand that different students have diverse interests. The interns will be deployed in different front- and back-of-house departments so that they can see how a hotel operates in the real world.”