The Governments of Jersey and Antigua and Barbuda will today formalise a partnership between both jurisdictions designed to support the Islands’ hospitality sectors.

The three-year partnership will provide opportunities for Antiguan and Barbudan hospitality industry staff to work in Jersey during the Island’s peak summer season. This will provide career development opportunities for Antiguan and Barbudan hospitality professionals, as well as provide much-needed recruitment opportunities for Jersey companies.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will be signed by the Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture, Senator Lyndon Farnham, on behalf of Jersey, and by Minister Charles Fernandez Minister of Tourism & Investment on behalf of Antigua and Barbuda.

Under the MoU, there will also be opportunities for educator and training exchanges between the Antigua and Barbuda Hospitality Training Institute and Jersey’s Highlands College. This partnership aims to further support local careers in the hospitality sector.

The MoU is the culmination of joint work between the Government of Jersey’s Economy and External Relations Department, local partners the Jersey Hospitality Association and the Chamber of Commerce, working alongside the High Commission of Antigua and Barbuda in London, the Antigua & Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association and the Antigua and Barbuda Hospitality Training Institute.

Senator Farnham said: “Our ambition is for this to be a long-term partnership which will provide employment and professional development opportunities for Antigua and Barbuda hospitality professionals during their low season and, at the same time, offer recruitment opportunities for Jersey companies.”

Antigua and Barbuda’s Tourism Minister, The Hon. Charles Fernandez said, “We are excited to be signing onto this partnership that will create and support rewarding employment and training opportunities in such an important economic sector for both Antigua and Barbuda, and Jersey.  We are certainly encouraging those trained in hospitality to apply.  This is a platform to show-off your work and demonstrate the quality of Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism product.”

Today, March 16, 2022, an online portal has been launched through which Jersey hotels, restaurants and other hospitality businesses will be able to advertise vacancies to Antigua and Barbuda staff.

On March 21, a webinar will be hosted by the Jersey Hospitality Association and the Chamber of Commerce, and Antigua and Barbuda partners, the Antigua and Barbuda Hospitality Training Institute and the Antigua & Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association to promote the opportunity.

Key points on the partnership

  1. The Government of Jersey’s Department for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport & Culture is responsible for creating the environment for Jersey to have a sustainable, vibrant economy, and a skilled workforce for the future. The Department works closely with industry partners to support the development and diversification of Jersey’s economy, including tourism and hospitality sectors.
  2. The Antigua and Barbuda Ministry of Tourism and Investment is charged with making policy and establishing policy guidelines within the tourism industry in Antigua and Barbuda. The Ministry holds responsibility for the overall marketing and promotion of the destination, in addition to the development of the tourism product on the Island.
  3. Noting the shared mutual objectives in relation to the continuation of a strong tourism and hospitality sector in both Island jurisdictions, the importance of a professional, skilled workforce to support both sectors, and the need to ensure career development opportunities for the same, EDTSC and ABMTI wish to establish a collaborative hospitality partnership
  1. This MOU is valid for three years from the date it comes into effect. Upon renewal, both participants confirm they will consider the progress made on the cooperative programme during the tenure of the MOU.  If either participant decides not to renew this MOU, a minimum of thirty days in advance notice in writing should be provided.
  1. Appropriate employment conditions that meet all Jersey Employment legislation will be met and remain at the responsibility of all employers under Jersey law.
  1. Applicants from Antigua and Barbuda will be required to return to their home Island following the successful completion of a workplace opportunity in Jersey, to continue to the development of their career in hospitality.

Who should apply?
The Jersey program is only open to citizens of Antigua and Barbuda. Proof of citizenship must be provided at the time of application
The hospitality roles that are open for employment are:

  1. Chefs – fully or partly trained and across multiple disciplines
  2. Staff trained to fulfil middle operation management roles in hotels and in restaurants
  3. Fully or partially trained front-line staff across multiple disciplines including, but not exclusive to: Food & Beverage, Housekeeping, Front of House.

The following categories of workers are eligible to apply:

  1. Graduates of the Antigua and Barbuda Hospitality Training Institute
  2. Employees of members hotels of the Antigua & Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association and
  3. Trained hospitality professionals with a minimum of three years working experience in the hospitality sector.

The EASE Training Program

Application and acceptance to the Jersey Project will not be finalized until all participants have completed an EASE training.  This program is provided FREE and is fully funded by The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority

With E.A.S.E (Exceeding All Service Expectations) training, our aim is to ensure and to develop the participants understanding of:  The concept of Customer Experience and its importance to organizations.

This training will be conducted virtually, for four (4) hours via the Zoom platform, facilitated by Ms. Shirlene Nibbs.

Ms. Nibbs has a solid track record of more than 40 years of experience in Tourism, Hospitality, Organizational Development and Training and Development. As a former Director General of Tourism, Head of multiple Organizations, and now, Managing Director of her own Leadership/Management Consulting, Corporate Training and Development Company she continues to leave a mark.

This course will provide the participants with the history, knowledge, and skills to deliver excellent customer service.    Topics that will be covered:

  • Customer Service in the Current Century
  • Contributing to the Service Culture
  • Communication Skills
  • Encouraging Customer Loyalty
  • Service Breakdowns and Service Recovery

The objective of this workshop is for participants to understand key customer service concepts, satisfaction, and the relationship between customer service and customer experience. At the culmination of the workshop, attendees will be issued a Certificate and an E.A.S.E Pin.