As part of its initiative to create job opportunities for persons with disabilities, the District Differently Abled Welfare Office here has arranged for a free training in catering for the differently abled in Tiruchi, to help them avail opportunities in housekeeping and food production sectors.
As many as 38 persons with disabilities were identified from 100 candidates who appeared at the orientation programme conducted by Oxford Catering and Hotel Management Industrial School, Pulivalam.
The college will provide one year free training, while the office will support the accommodation costs, said R. Shyamala, District Differently Abled Welfare Officer.
The course would be tailored according to their abilities , said Mohan Gandhi, vice-principal of the institute. “We will focus on food production and catering which might be more suitable to hearing-impaired and mentally-challenged than front-office and customer interaction jobs.”
After completing the training, candidates would be placed in canteens, restaurants and eateries, assured Vishwanathan, course coordinator.
HR managers from Hotel Susee Park, Vijay Food Court, Sabol Hotel, Ooty and Madras Vegetarian, Dubai, who spoke to the candidates, listed out the opportunities in hotel industry.
These restaurants and a few others have expressed willingness to employ differently abled trainees, on completion of their training, Baskaran, principal, said.
The institute would continue to take differently abled candidates willing to work in the hotel industry, said Mr. Baskaran.
Persons between 14 and 40 years of age with a minimum qualification of a pass in Class VIII can apply. This initiative would help persons with disabilities to earn a livelihood, said Ms. Shyamala.
