AccorHotels is supporting Image Mission Singapore to help inspire disadvantaged women to discover career opportunities in hospitality.
Since its inception in 2015, Image Mission Singapore has been supported by Solidarity AccorHotels, the hotel group’s endowment fund, to help develop unemployed women in Singapore to achieve economic independence.
Beneficiaries may come from low-income households or may be disadvantaged in various areas; they include single or unwed young mothers, victims of domestic abuse, troubled teens, those with a disability and the marginalised.
AccorHotels supports Dress For Success by sharing expertise and know-how, through professional coaching, organising clothes drives, and sponsoring events to raise both funds and awareness.
“We are thrilled to support Dress for Success members and provide a glimpse into what the hospitality industry has to offer as a career,” said Gaynor Reid, Vice President Communications & CSR, AccorHotels Asia Pacific. “AccorHotels is always looking for avenues to further empower women in the workplace and Image Mission’s purpose resonates perfectly with AccorHotels’ Diversity & Inclusion commitment in this respect. With 15 hotels in Singapore and almost 1,000 across Asia Pacific, we are always on the hunt for new talent to support our future growth.”
In addition to funding around $25,000 towards training fees and overhead costs to support Image Mission, AccorHotels also recently held a training and information session for participants, which included a tour of the two newest AccorHotels properties on the island: the Novotel & Mercure Singapore on Stevens. The highlight of the event was the inspirational sharing delivered by the hotels’ star talent. One inspiring career testimonial came from Madam Irene Suen, 70, a passionate hospitality veteran for over 50 years, who has served as Hotel Butler for the likes of Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and Hong Kong celebrities Anita Mui and Aaron Kwok.
Ms Pang Li Kin, Founder & Director of Image Mission, said, “On behalf of our ladies and volunteers, we would like to express our deepest appreciation to AccorHotels for hosting the Careers in Hospitality event. Indeed, AccorHotels have walked the talk about what Hospitality is all about, and have far exceeded our expectations. I could see the transformation of our clients from one of apprehension to inspiration and the AccorHotels’ team demonstrated the 'ren (people)' in all that they do, making us feel warmly welcomed.”
It is hoped that this Careers Event will inspire some of the women to pursue careers in hospitality.
The Solidary AccorHotels endowment fund was created in 2008 to support the fight against economic and social exclusion. Its priority mission is to promote access to professionalisation, employment or entrepreneurship, by supporting projects with positive implications for vulnerable individuals wherever AccorHotels is established.
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