Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort recently launched its 2025 annual Summer Internship Programme, welcoming over 100 high school and college students from across the Turks and Caicos Islands. Over the next six weeks, these aspiring professionals will embark on a personalized and integrated experience, designed to advance their hospitality careers through hands-on experience and comprehensive exposure into the dynamic world of hospitality.
The programme kicked off on Monday, with interns assigned to various departments across the resort, including food and beverage, concierge, cost control, front office and public relations. They will work alongside seasoned departmental trainers and team members, learning standard operating procedures and receiving mentorship throughout their journey.
Focusing on the innovative outlook of this year’s programme, Human Resources Manager, Owenta Coleby, shared insights into the internship’s refined approach. “This year’s programme is designed to offer a more personalized experience – beginning with onboarding, where participants will be introduced to the company’s training benefits. Interns will be more integrated into the work environment, allowing them to engage in daily activities alongside their colleagues.”
Coleby further highlighted the programme’s commitment to fostering a supportive and engaging environment. “Forums for interns to share their experiences and provide feedback on how we can enhance the internship will be provided.
This approach aims to encourage interns to consider full-time positions upon the completion of the programme.”
Another standout addition to this year’s internship experience is the introduction of weekly soft-skills development sessions, spearheaded by the resort’s learning and development division. “We believe this is a great opportunity to add significant value to the training our interns will receive,” shared Phildreka Mayham, learning and development manager. “Not only will interns be trained in day-to-day operations, but they will also acquire essential life skills that is transferable across any industry they choose to pursue.” These sessions will cover a diverse range of topics, including personal branding, financial management, customer service excellence, resume development and interview skills.
Further enhancing the programme experience, a community service project has been integrated, led by the public relations team. “The Beaches brand is renowned for its commitment to giving back to the communities in which we operate,” Public Relations Manager Orville Morgan shared. “So we are passionate about exposing this year’s interns to our ongoing programmes and initiatives, and they will be tasked with participating in one of these projects, playing their part in corporate social responsibility.”
Managing Director James McAnally, expressed his enthusiasm for the programme’s evolution. “I am excited for this year’s programme and eager to witness the development of our interns over the next six weeks. This enhanced internship experience underscores Beaches Turks & Caicos’ dedication not only to providing invaluable career exposure but also to cultivating a pipeline of skilled professionals who may become integral members of the resort’s team in the future. By offering a hands-on, immersive experience combined with direct feedback channels, the programme will bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world industry demands, strengthening the hospitality sector in the Turks & Caicos Islands.”
Celebrating its 17th year, the resorts prestigious Summer Internship Programme has been a cornerstone in introducing local students to the world of hospitality in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Over 1500 locals have benefited from the programme, with many going on to secure full-time employment at Beaches and progressing to senior management positions within the resort. Others have charted diverse career paths, crediting the programme for fostering their early learning and growth, as affirmed by Sabrina Green who shared, “I’m proud to say I’m a Summer Internship Programme alum. What I received at Beaches was more than training. It was branding. It was a mindset. It encouraged me to set the bar high and to never settle for anything less than excellence. The experience provided professional grounding that eventually led to my appointment as chair of the Board of Tourism for the Turks and Caicos Islands. I carried the Beaches ethos into every boardroom, every negotiation and every decision.”
The Beaches Summer Internship Programme remains a source of pride for the resort’s community developmental mission, providing valuable opportunities for residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands to gain hands-on experience and learn new skills while enhancing their employability and contributions to the growth and success of their communities.
