TRINIDAD & TOBAGO HOSPITALITY & TOURISM INSTITUTE closes its doors for good

[bluefete]

So Frontin just walks away with zero accountability?

So where is the tuner who could help me answer this question?

[Les Bain]

From the stories I heard all over the place, classic qppointed boards with a set of old people weren't perfect; nepotism, favours and palm scratching were common but them crusty old cnuts used to have some element of progress in there.

These modern boards with a set of younger people in them take bobol, interference and power trips to an extreme. I met a sickening lot of people like Frontin. They all about image and advancing their personal brand but at the and of the day is just another vain, slick tongue shithong you dealing with.

[zoom rader]

This is nothing but a PNM run school , failure

[Dizzy28]

But just the other day there was an entire thread congratulating one of the players in that fiasco.

This thread mightn't last much longer

From the stories I heard all over the place, classic qppointed boards with a set of old people weren't perfect; nepotism, favours and palm scratching were common but them crusty old cnuts used to have some element of progress in there.

These modern boards with a set of younger people in them take bobol, interference and power trips to an extreme. I met a sickening lot of people like Frontin. They all about image and advancing their personal brand but at the and of the day is just another vain, slick tongue shithong you dealing with.

[bluefete]

I wonder if Frontin sent out that release (the part where he is praised) on behalf of himself.


Gadsby-Dolly steps in: Tourism school closure under review

STUDENTS of the TT Hospitality and Tourism Institute (TTHTI) are crying out for help after their school was abruptly shutdown on Friday.

In a media release on Friday, the board of directors said they could no longer keep the doors of the Chaguaramas-based institution open as mounting debt and the pandemic forced them to close it.

“The stark reality is that the institute has been and will be unable to effectively generate revenue from its suite of educational products and services for a nine-month period in 2020. The present closure period over the past five months has already eroded the institute’s working capital and stymied the achievement of revenue forecasts outlined in its viable growth plan initiated in December 2019.”

On March 13, the Prime Minister announced the closure of all learning institutions to stop the spread of covid19. Schools were due to re-open on September 1, but on August 15, Dr Rowley said the closure of schools may last until December 31.

Education Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, in a WhatsApp response to Sunday Newsday, said the ministry was looking into the closure.

“This is an institution that has served the needs of this country and no government would like to see the opportunity to learn these skills lost to our nationals. The options are being considered at this time.”

In a subsequent media release, the Education Ministry stated that the Accreditation Council of TT (ACTT) was never informed of the intended closure and, moreso, TTHTI has not completed its registration process. The ministry added that the board is obligated to “communicate any substantial change, such as permanent closure, to the ACTT.”

“Concerns were also raised that the TTHTI has not submitted the required ‘Teach-Out’ arrangement details that are usually made with a similar institution to ensure that registered students can be transferred in terms of their records, transcripts and documents, to ensure continuity. The Ministry of Education wishes to assure that it is exploring all options to secure the availability of opportunities to seek advancement through training in hospitality and tourism to the public; and in addition, that the TTHTI fulfils its duty to the students affected by this decision.”

A TTHTI graduate said the school, which was opened in 1972, once boasted of an enrolment of at least 250 students each semester but that number has reduced to a mere 50. Some foreign students were charged fees an estimated US$35,000 for a diploma, while local paid between TT$60,000 to TT$80,000.

“Some students are now flat out broke and have nowhere to turn to. They have been crying non-stop and have reached out to the school via email only to get an automated response. Imagine some students had their parents take loans so they could afford to come to the school and paid their tuition in full, for this to come and happen.”

“There are students who have the passion to become chefs and what now? I am hoping that someone can take up the students’ case pro bono because this is unfair. These students are so confused as to what is happening with them right now.”

A petition began circulating on social media to save the school. At 7 pm, the petition which asked for 1,500 signatures had 1,335. The petition said the school produced “outstanding graduates” and called for its restructuring and not closure.

Sunday Newsday was told the students were not given any pre-warning and learnt their school was shut-down when the statement was released to the media.

A post on the school’s Facebook page, which was later removed, alleged that it was improper management by the governing body that led to the shutdown and had nothing to do with covid19. A former manager was accused of mismanaging funds.

In a media release on Saturday, TTHTI said they reported the post to the police since it was made by an ex-member of the board of directors. The Facebook page was also terminated until either Facebook or the police “are able to hold the individual(s)responsible”

Sunday Newsday attempted to contact former TTHTI chief executive officer Brian Frontin on the closure but calls went unanswered. Frontin was also head of the Trinidad Hotels, Restaurants & Tourism Association (THRTA). Last month, Frontin resigned from both positions. In a media release, the THRTA said Frontin, “played a critical role in the significant growth and development of the association and its training body, the TTHTI.”

“The board thanks Mr Frontin for his commitment, passion, and enthusiasm for the THRTA, the TTHTI, and the industry over the past five years despite facing incredible obstacles and challenges. His departure is a profound loss to the industry.”

The statement said Frontin would assist the boards in transitioning before an announcement is made. The next announcement from TTHTI was the closure of the school.

Sunday Newsday was told that after the school lost accreditation, it partnered with the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). This partnership saw increased student fees and a drastic reduction in registration. With no subvention and decreasing revenue, the financial woes only worsened ending with the shut-down. This partnership saw students purchasing textbooks costing between US$100-$180 and in some cases charges for multiple courses.

One past student and lecturer, who did not want to be named, said the school was mismanaged financially and academically as unqualified lecturers who could not properly administer the coursework were hired on the board’s instruction.

Chef Jason Peru, a past student, who lectured between 2007 to 2013, said it was a sad day for him to see the pillar in the tourism industry, not just locally but regionally, on the verge of closure.

“The TTHTI was a pioneering school in the Caribbean. The quality of teaching there allowed be to get a scholarship to Miami where I graduated top of my class and returned home to teach. Dr Pat Butcher was a visionary and a no-nonsense woman, when she left and the new management came in everything went haywire.”

Peru said he would have taught some 3000 students, full-time and part-time, when he was a lecturer. He said there were years when the enrolment was 800 students.

“It is sad to see the place I went to, and made me who I am today, come to this. This is a huge blow to the hospitality industry. Now where will people go if they want to be trained in the sector? This now leaves a gap and a void to fill now.”

Chef Brigette Joseph said she was a “little disappointed” about the closure. She agreed with Peru that the TTHTI was a leading school for those wanting to enter the hotelier and restaurant industry.

“It is very important to have quality eduction in this field and there is no where else you can go to no” Joseph said adding that programmes offered by the University of TT (UTT), University of the West Indies (UWI) and University of Southern Caribbean (USC) could compare to TTHTI.

In a media release, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts sought to give the assurance there was sufficient training in the hospitality industry in TT. The tourism ministry said there are educational and training programmes available and a sufficient pool of skilled and talented people to support the development of the hospitality and tourism sector in the short to medium term.

“Notwithstanding the proposed closure of the TTHTI, the Ministry can confirm that there are a range of other publicly funded and private institutions that provide educational and training programmes for the hospitality and tourism sector, both in Trinidad as well as in Tobago, and these organisations have so far been well managed to the appropriate standards, are creative, resilient and continue in operation notwithstanding the disruptive effects of the covid19 pandemic.”

The tourism ministry said it was confident the education ministry would make every effort to resolve the issue.

https://newsday.co.tt/2020/08/23/gadsby ... er-review/

[zoom rader]

Take bull all yuh vote for dat

[Les Bain]

But just the other day there was an entire thread congratulating one of the players in that fiasco.

One of the personal brand types who showed me the person behind the personality was related to hotel boy.

So when men here was congratulating him, i thought is either they don't really know this person, or they cut from the same Rattans material.

[K74T]

viewtopic.php?t=751482

[goalpost]

Frontin was an ignorant jacka$$ from long time. He sister too.

Doh ban meh

[The_Honourable]

https://www.trinituner.com/v4/forums/viewtopic.php?t=751482

LOLOLOLOLOLOL

Who want to derail that ched?

[VexXx Dogg]

Aaaaah, and so the story unfolds.

[16 cycles]

same OP for both threads....feel it was a set up......

[toyolink]

TTHTI has had its roots as a result of a state driven initiative and over its existence has been supported financially and in many other ways by gov't.
During its history this training institute has achieved many positive accomplishments and so too its graduates.
Many citizens and young regional neighbors have looked to the institute for training in their culinary dreams.
The issues of mismanagement which surfaced some years ago and was well known by the govt seems to have been allowed to reign unchecked and now those who felt confident that appropriate intervention was being undertaken have been left in the wilderness.
Govt has an inferred responsibility to all students of this institute since this debacle suggest some dereliction of responsibility on their part.

[pugboy]

it have plenty men lining up to lick her toes

Frontin was an ignorant jacka$$ from long time. He sister too.

Doh ban meh

[bluefete]

This was a Mafia school.

From 2017

https://www.looptt.com/content/tthti-bl ... on-january

21 DECEMBER 2017



The Trinidad and Tobago Hospitality and Tourism Institute has sought to address the concerns of some students who have expressed fear that they may not be allowed to graduate come January if they don’t pay their outstanding tuition fees.

On Tuesday, students met with the institute and received letters informing them that their certificates would be withheld until they are financially cleared.

In response to questions from LoopTT, TTHTI CEO Brian Frontin said that there are over 130 prospective graduands who have outstanding liabilities to the institution.

Frontin explained that TTHTI has made several requests to the Funding and Grants Administration Division of the Ministry of Education on behalf of students.

However, he noted that these requests have been ignored by the Ministry.

The TTHTI CEO further added that the course of study for Government Assistance for Tuition Expenses (GATE) funded students was paid thus far by the TTHTI and not by the government.

However, Frontin said that despite acting in good faith and doing its part by providing upfront funding for the students, which included paying staff on time, as well as providing all required supporting resources for students, the TTHTI has not received the relevant reimbursements on behalf of these students to date.

“It is not only students that have felt the pain caused by the Government’s refusal to pay through the GATE programme but the TTHTI has also suffered great losses and continues to suffer as Government has also refused to pay the TTHTI’s allocated subvention payments to the severe prejudice of the Institute, its employees and its students,” the TTHTI CEO noted.

He added that the TTHTI empathises with all prospective graduands and joins in their condemnation of the Ministry of Education for what he described as the apparent reneging of Government’s contractual obligations in failing to remit the amounts that the Funding and Grants Administration Division approved.

“We welcome and continue to engage in meaningful conversations with the students directly to understand their unique circumstances with a view towards reaching pragmatic solutions towards being cleared to graduate. The Registrar has indicated that depending on these respective conversations, it may be possible to include more students in the graduation ceremony,” Frontin added.

Speaking with LoopTT, Education Minister Anthony Garcia said he is aware of the situation but that it was a matter between the TTHTI and the students.

He added that the Board does not operate under the guidance of the Ministry.

The frustrated students say they’ve been caught in a crossfire between the TTHTI and the Ministry and is calling on the relevant authorities to act immediately.

One student who did not wish to be named told LoopTT that they feel as though they are being bullied over something they have no control over.

“The school’s Director, Mr. Frontin is blaming the government for the situation. We have the Minister of Education saying it’s the Board’s responsibility. The students are targeted and bullied. Caught in crossfire!”

[zoom rader]

These PNM schools are a sham

[eliteauto]

TTHTI has had its roots as a result of a state driven initiative and over its existence has been supported financially and in many other ways by gov't.
During its history this training institute has achieved many positive accomplishments and so too its graduates.
Many citizens and young regional neighbors have looked to the institute for training in their culinary dreams.
The issues of mismanagement which surfaced some years ago and was well known by the govt seems to have been allowed to reign unchecked and now those who felt confident that appropriate intervention was being undertaken have been left in the wilderness.
Govt has an inferred responsibility to all students of this institute since this debacle suggest some dereliction of responsibility on their part.

If I may ask, how did you deduce this inferred responsibility ? The TTHTI is a private institution now, who back in the 70's (Hotel School) was a joint partnership between the Gov't and a Canadian Polytechnic, which evolved into a partnership between a state company and the IADB and has since been fully private since the mid 90's, any subsequent state involvement was through subventions and later GATE receipts for which they lost eligibility when they became no longer accredited by the ACTT. Other than the press statement which now appears woefully skewered what dereliction of responsibility can be deduced on the GORTT's part when the BOG failed to meet the requirements for GATE owing to curriculum and oversight changes instituted by the same BOG? All this isn't new and the writing was on the wall for some time now, there are courses that I would have taken at the TTHTI that were shifted to COSTAAT since June last year and were conducted by the same tutors who were formerly at the TTHTI. Any state intervention at this juncture will have to be done with full oversight and possibly absorbtion of the faculty by the GORTT possibly becoming a COSTAAT campus

[VexXx Dogg]

TTHTI has had its roots as a result of a state driven initiative and over its existence has been supported financially and in many other ways by gov't.
During its history this training institute has achieved many positive accomplishments and so too its graduates.
Many citizens and young regional neighbors have looked to the institute for training in their culinary dreams.
The issues of mismanagement which surfaced some years ago and was well known by the govt seems to have been allowed to reign unchecked and now those who felt confident that appropriate intervention was being undertaken have been left in the wilderness.
Govt has an inferred responsibility to all students of this institute since this debacle suggest some dereliction of responsibility on their part.

If I may ask, how did you deduce this inferred responsibility ? The TTHTI is a private institution now, who back in the 70's (Hotel School) was a joint partnership between the Gov't and a Canadian Polytechnic, which evolved into a partnership between a state company and the IADB and has since been fully private since the mid 90's, any subsequent state involvement was through subventions and later GATE receipts for which they lost eligibility when they became no longer accredited by the ACTT. Other than the press statement which now appears woefully skewered what dereliction of responsibility can be deduced on the GORTT's part when the BOG failed to meet the requirements for GATE owing to curriculum and oversight changes instituted by the same BOG? All this isn't new and the writing was on the wall for some time now, there are courses that I would have taken at the TTHTI that were shifted to COSTAAT since June last year and were conducted by the same tutors who were formerly at the TTHTI. Any state intervention at this juncture will have to be done with full oversight and possibly absorbtion of the faculty by the GORTT possibly becoming a COSTAAT campus

seems like a good option.

[Skanky]

Trinidad would be much better served by closing down the place next door, the IMA, or as people in the know like to call it.... the place where potential goes to die.

[GreeNThuMb]

I want to know too...I cud use em..

Who gettting all the nice commercial kitchen equipment ?

[neilsingh100]

From what I understand Brian Frontin is responsible for the schools closure and he resigned last month. He apparently ran the school into the ground. Most stakeholders saw this coming since he was an arrogant fool and claim to fame was being appointed some executive positions under the last UNC government.

[Dizzy28]

From what I understand Brian Frontin is responsible for the schools closure and he resigned last month. He apparently ran the school into the ground. Most stakeholders saw this coming since he was an arrogant fool and claim to fame was being appointed some executive positions under the last UNC government.

Nah................................a man who once took out all his educational achievements on LinkedIn and replaced them simply with one word - "Outlier" couldn't have been responsible.

[2WNBoost]

Privately run institution.
No profit = No way to sustain the business

[2WNBoost]

Taken from the Book

[eliteauto]

Brian Frontin has released a 28 page response to the imbroglio, for those interested it's here in PDF format

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/ ... 9loGONkdHo

[RedVEVO]

^^

The Klingon Empire does NOT needs education to survive .

It's brute force for it's kind .

Education has almost vanished within the last 5 years .

[Les Bain]

^^Where that video of the PNMite crying the night PNM get beat, saying Kamillah going and take way GATE? That gets funnier every time.

[bluefete]

Cliff Notes: It was all Dr. Pat Butcher's and the GORTT fault!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Brian Frontin has released a 28 page response to the imbroglio, for those interested it's here in PDF format

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/ ... 9loGONkdHo

[Dizzy28]

Brian Frontin has released a 28 page response to the imbroglio, for those interested it's here in PDF format

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/ ... 9loGONkdHo

I guess he is absolutely certain no legal action is going to come out of this.
One my very close friends is currently in the courts being party to a state enterprise scandal and his lawyer advised him not to go public with any facts of the case which he wanted to do to clear his name.

Saw the 30 page PaP letter in that case and its eerily similar to Frontin's as well.

[eliteauto]

Update re students