Reserva Conchal Celebrating 5th Anniversary of Dual Education

Howler Staff - JAN 21, 2019
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Reserva Conchal Celebrating 5th Anniversary of Dual Education in Costa Rica – Changing lives for the better: Career horizons for hundreds of local young people have been widening over the past five years through an innovative partnership between Reserva Conchal and the Westin Golf Resort & Spa. From their shared beachfront premises on Costa Rica’s Gold Coast, a unique dual education program was introduced in 2014 as a response to unemployment and poverty-related problems in the Guanacaste area.

Adapted from the original German model of dual education, which combines classroom learning with on-the-job apprenticeship training, the Reserva Conchal program equips students for local employment in two specialized areas: food and beverages, and gastronomy. All theoretical learning  and practicum training takes place in the Westin/Reserva Conchal facilities and using their tools and equipment.

The German “learning by doing” approach has been implemented as follows: students receive 30 percent of their instruction from a National Institute of Learning (INA, or Instituto Nacional de Aprendizaje) tutor and 70 percent from workplace mentors.

The program has two main objectives: to provide free technical training to 40 young people each year, with potential for a better quality of life, and to assure that at least 40 percent of graduating students get a job.

What is special about dual education?

The integrated application of INA teaching resources in a real workplace environment offers an ideal blend of theoretical and practical learning. It enhances the students’ readiness for “real world” job opportunities.

Employees from The Westin participate as mentors for the incoming students, providing guidance and supervision throughout their program training. Mentors share their own knowledge and experience to help students succeed in a working environment.

The dual education program provides a learning space where students:

• are accompanied by experienced personnel,

• learn and use new techniques from the tourism industry,

• gain personal motivation along with essential skills to perform a job,

• and, most importantly, acquire more possibilities for employment.

Why is it important for our community?

The Reserva Conchal dual education program not only focuses on helping people acquire technical skills but also supports women empowerment, life skills, financial management capabilities and consumer awareness.

The students participate actively in special volunteering programs (Elegi Ayudar). The resort organizes different environmental activities weekly that benefit the community and ecosystem.

Last year, the students participated in the World Meeting of Blue Zones in Nicoya, sharing their specialized knowledge of food preparation and local gastronomy for which Costa Rica’s blue zone region is renowned.

Why is it important for our country?

Job opportunities are the biggest reason for celebrating five years of dual education at Reserva Conchal. More than 150 students from local communities, especially Santa Cruz, have participated. Currently in 2018, 63 more are enrolled for bartender, waiter and gastronomy training. With the new W Hotel set to open soon inside Reserva Conchal, employment opportunities are expanding.

Students range in age from 18 to 25, but there is no upper limit. Participants older than 30 are not uncommon.

Why is it important that you know about it?

The hope is to inspire other companies to participate in the program and benefit the community as a whole. Allowing everyone access to opportunities for learning and success will create a better way of life for all in the area.

Facts:

By November 2018, the program will have more than 210 graduates.

At least half of all graduates are hired.

More than 35 mentors have been trained during the program’s first five years.

Well-rounded education includes training in drug abuse prevention, areas promoting female empowerment and more

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