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IATL, FHRAI team up for Rural Bharat Scheme

Praveen K Singh - New Delhi

With an aim to educate and train rural youth for hospitality, Indo-American Tourism (IATL) has collaborated with Federation of Hotels & Restaurants Association of India (FHRAI) to start a Rural Bharat Scheme (RBS). Professor Venketeswar Pujari, chairman of IATL, told Express Hospitality, "We plan a correspondence programme to empower the rural youth of India to take up a career in hospitality."

According to him, the scheme was a brainchild of Rajesh Mishra, vice president of FHRAI. He said that the need for manpower has led to the initiation of the RBS. "An MoU has been signed with IATL to develop content, and implement the programme across the country through strategic centers in every state," informed Pujari.

He said that the courses would be for front-line staff, supervisors and front-line executives in the areas of F&B service, housekeeping, front office and food production. "The completion certificate would be provided by FHRAI in technical collaboration with IATL. Once the candidates earn the certificate, they will be eligible for a proctored test of FHRAI certification," he added. The fees for the course and certification have been kept low (Rs 4,500). The programme will begin from January 1, 2008.