There is now a cadre of certified swimming pool and spa maintenance technicians in Anguilla, whose certification is valid for five years.
The course was held in June by the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association (AHTA) and was attended by twelve participants. It was only several days ago that they were presented with their certificates of completion, an emblem patch, and a certification card.
The training was conducted by Mr Jose Miguel Torres of Paraiso Pools Company, a Pool & Spa Maintenance facility in Florida. The course was organised through Mrs Kathy Haskins, the AHTA’s 2012 Hotelier of the Year recipient and Owner/Manager of Shoal Bay Villas, one of Anguilla’s charming escape properties. She also attended the course which was aimed at benefitting members of the AHTA.
President of the AHTA, Mr Delroy Lake, commended Mrs Haskins for seeing the need for the training and the importance of having certified workers on hand to undertake the maintenance work. “Thanks to Kathy for seeing the need, for being proactive in doing something about it, and thus ensuring for us to be here today with a group of certified workers,” he stated.
Mr Lake also commended Mrs Gilda Gumbs-Samuel, the AHTA’s Executive Director, who coordinated the training. “Gilda did a very good job and all twelve participants successfully completed the training,” he said. “I would like to congratulate the certified pool and spa technicians. You are certified for the next five years. I want you to take this training seriously and to become certified again when that time rolls by. It is important for your job in Anguilla, and right now it means a whole lot for hoteliers to have workers who are pool certified.”
Mrs Gumbs-Samuel said the training of the local employees meant that there would be no need to issue work permits to persons outside Anguilla to do pool and spa maintenance duties. “That was so important to me because we have the talent in Anguilla. It is just to harness it and now we have certified persons on the island to do the work,” she observed.
Mrs Janine Edwards, the AHTA’s Vice President, commented: “A course like this means that our pools will be cleaner; our guests will be happier; and the Anguilla experience will be superior. It is a big thing, and we are actually proud to be part of this – and proud that all of the participants did such a great job.”
The course participants represented Altamer Hotel, Anacaona Boutique Hotel, Frangipani Resort, CuisinArt Golf Resort and Spa, Cap Juluca, Shoal Bay Villas and Sunset Homes. Mr Judah Christian who was a participant is also an independent pool specialist.
