Colegio E.P.I. - Hospitality & Tourism Unit

INTRODUCTION

The Hospitality Sector of Educacion Profesional Intermedio, formerly known as Aruba Hotel School, is in many ways very unique. One of the things which make us unique is that we were the first in the Caribbean to offer an Associate of Science degree in hotel/restaurant management. Not only are we unique and the first school of its kind in this region, but we are also well on the way to becoming the best of its kind.

As of September 1998, we are the first school of its kind in our region to offer a concentrated hands-on Associate degree program in the culinary arts and guest services discipline with international validation.

SOME FACTS ABOUT THE HOTEL SCHOOL

 During the late '60's and '70's the Government of Aruba provided basically three-month crash courses in food service, food preparation, and bartending.  This was initially done with the help of different experts from the Hotel Section of the International Labor Office.  In 1974, at the request of the island Council of Aruba, the first project to intensify this training was developed by the I.L.O., but was, however, not found feasible.

It was not until late 1977 that a new dimension was given to the project when a feasibility study was prepared by free-lance expert, Mr. Ze'ev B. Lavon and Associated Architects was contracted to prepare a blueprint for a hotel school.

The European Economic Community (EEC) organization approved the study and plans, and a contract to the lowest bidder (ALBO Bonboncemi) was awarded.  This was the official beginning of the ARUBA HOTEL SCHOOL. In August 1982 construction was completed and ARUBA HOTEL SCHOOL  was ready to open her doors to receive the first group of students. The ARUBA HOTEL SCHOOL was governed by the STICHTING ARUBA HOSPITALITY TRADES TRAINING  CENTER.

The A.H.T.T.C. was founded on October 16, 1981.  The Board of the A.H.T.T.C. was comprised of government appointed members (3), the F.T.A. (1) (the union representing the majority of hotel workers on the island), and the Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association (AHATA) (1).

In December 1996 the government of Aruba incorporated the school into the public school system as an integral part of the newly formed Education Profesional Intermedio. 

Today the Hotel School is known as the Hospitality Sector of the Colegio EPI.

The school has a director who is directly responsible to the School Board for the efficient functioning of the four programs within the Hotel School, namely: the School of Hotel Management FS program, the IE program, the Apprenticeship program and the, and the Continuing Education Program, an Adjunct director who acts in the absence of the director and who assists the director in whatever way necessary.

Copyright © 2004. Class M2 Colegio EPI - Hospitality & Tourism Unit.

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