Sixteen interns from the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic (SJPP) massage and aesthetics course have been exposed to working at a world-class facility, thanks to the training they recently received at the renowned Sandy Lane Hotel Spa.Spa manager Tracey Archer explained that although the hotel had been extending this internship to SJPP students for several years, this year’s internship was one with a difference.“Together with the instructor for the massage and aesthetics course at the Polytechnic, Janine Marville, I developed a plan to expose all 16 students, over a six week period, to what Sandy Lane offers. We conducted tours every other Friday; we put together a complete package. So the interns know that Sandy Lane can be a place for future employment because we have hired former interns in the past.”The interns were also given a complete tour by Judy Macaluso, followed by discussions and a question and answer session with the spa manager who taught them “what is expected working at an establishment like Sandy Lane and the work ethic and standards expected . . . ”.Archer added: “They would not learn this in their course; this knowledge is gained on the job.”Of the 16 interns, two were selected to work within each department to learn how each area of the spa attends to the needs of the guests. They were Alicia Jordan and Keetra Gittens. Together they observed the functions of the spa reception, which handles bookings, checks in guests and assists guests with their spa journey; and they saw the spa attendants in action, preparing the spa in the morning and maintaining it throughout the day. They also had the opportunity to give the therapists at Sandy Lane massages and get feedback on their technique.Archer reported that they worked well across all departments.The students were also excited to learn of a treatment indigenous to Barbados and the Sandy Lane Spa: the Bajan Indulgence Package which includes a scrub with brown sugar, coconut gratings and coconut oil, a wrap with hydrating mud and banana leaves as well as a head and full body massage with coconut oil.Archer told the students that the spa’s guests, whether they were staying at the hotel or locals visiting the facility, came there to de-stress.“They want peace of mind . . . and part of the training for our interns was learning how to do it the Sandy Lane way – excellence in every detail,” she said.She also disclosed that the hotel ensured its therapists enhanced their skills by investing in their training.“Every year we have training programmes taught here by international trainers and this helps to make our therapists some of the best in the world and gives them the confidence to deliver world class service each time,” she added. (PR)
