DBTC, Alafua, Samoa, 18 March 2022 -- Don Bosco Technical Centre in Alafua, Samoa is pleased to announce the opening of a newly purpose-built kitchen and classroom facility. The building was funded through generous donors from Australia and completed and commissioned on 18 February by Acting Principal Fr. Visesio.
The purpose of the building is to provide students a better quality and more cohesive course. Graduates will be well placed to find employment opportunities to assist their families and develop a career in the local hospitality and tourism industry. Currently, resorts have difficulty acquiring suitable employees with the appropriate skills. Qualified local staff are preferred rather than hospitality staff from overseas. DBTC is attempting to fill this void.
This purpose-built kitchen will function as a classroom for practical lessons. It will ensure the students have access to a full kitchen that replicates a commercial kitchen. Most students would not have access to this kind of equipment for practice at home.
The building of the new facility is crucial to the education and future employment of the students; however, it also offers excellent opportunities to provide income to sustain the program and the school at large. When the facility is not utilised by the school it can be hired out in conjunction with their existing event space (the Fale) to private functions in order to provide an income stream to the course and school at large. Administator Grace So'o says that: “The aim and focus of this project will not only be used for the Hospitality programme but also for other small functions such as birthdays and other things needed by the students especially for their practical work.”
Don Bosco Technical Centre is aiming to develop their students so that they can not only find employment but leave DBTC with a clear career path. Well done to all involved in the project and we look forward to trying some of the tasty creations by the hospitality students!
