WILLEMSTAD – Teamwork Caribbean has launched the Teamwork Hospitality Academy, a new training platform designed to strengthen the hospitality workforce across the Dutch Caribbean by offering internationally recognized certifications and industry-focused education.
The academy, which officially became operational on July 1, was developed in partnership with the Dutch Foundation for Professional Competence in Hospitality (SVH), one of the Netherlands' leading hospitality knowledge and certification institutes with more than six decades of experience.
The initiative is aimed at hospitality professionals and businesses on both the BES islands (Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba) and the autonomous countries of Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten.
Through the partnership, participants will have access to a modern digital learning platform offering more than 50 online courses in Dutch and English. Successful participants can earn SVH certificates that are recognized by employers both in the Caribbean and the Netherlands.
The online courses are complemented by classroom instruction and on-the-job coaching, allowing participants to immediately apply newly acquired skills in their daily work.
According to Teamwork Caribbean founder and director Danielle van Joolingen, the academy represents the next step in the company's evolution after 15 years of providing hospitality training throughout the region.
"With the Teamwork Hospitality Academy, we want to strengthen the hospitality sector by giving professionals access to certified training that directly connects with daily practice," Van Joolingen said. "As the industry continues to grow and become more professional, we believe it is important to position our expertise even more clearly through a dedicated academy."
The academy's curriculum includes customer service and hospitality skills, leadership development, food and beverage training, workplace safety and hygiene, internationally recognized SVH certification modules, classroom courses accredited by Cedeo and the Dutch Council for Training and Education (NRTO), as well as workplace coaching.
In addition to employee development, the academy aims to help employers improve onboarding, staff retention and career development within their organizations.
The blended learning model combines the flexibility of online education with practical classroom instruction and workplace coaching, enabling companies to monitor employee progress and implement long-term training plans.
The launch comes as Curaçao's tourism and hospitality sector continues to expand, increasing demand for well-trained professionals capable of meeting international service standards.