Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, the Honourable Phillip Watts, joined trainees of the Ministry’s Hospitality Operations and Service Training (H.O.S.T.) programme on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, for a skills practicum and open house at the COSTATT City Campus, Port of Spain. The event gave participants from the programme’s third and fourth cohorts the opportunity to demonstrate their workplace readiness by hosting specially invited guests at a simulated restaurant and dining experience.
Minister Watts observed the trainees in service and interacted with participants and facilitators throughout the event. Addressing the trainees, he said, “Hospitality is about more than serving a meal. It is about professionalism, attention to detail and making every guest feel valued. These young people have shown that they understand this, and they have made themselves, their families and this programme proud.”
From folding napkins and setting tables to presenting plates and serving guests, every aspect of the dining experience was executed by the participants. Under the watchful eye of moderators and hospitality instructor Mr. Richard Carrington, the trainees were assessed not only on their technical ability, but also on their professional demeanour, and were responsible for closing duties at the end of service.
The trainees were visibly excited to serve the Minister and took the opportunity to interact with him, capturing selfies with Minister Watts and expressing their gratitude for the launch of a programme that is creating real opportunities for young people. The room was filled with cheers and laughter as Minister Watts joined the cohort in a celebratory toast to mark their final practical session.
Minister Watts also announced that the Ministry is working to expand the H.O.S.T. curriculum as part of its broader commitment to youth employment. “Young people between the ages of 18 and 35 deserve real pathways to employment, and the hospitality sector offers tremendous opportunities. Our responsibility is to ensure that H.O.S.T. keeps pace with the needs of the industry, so that when our graduates walk into an interview, they do so prepared and confident,” he said.
Managed and coordinated by the Ministry’s Youth Affairs Division, H.O.S.T. is a 10-week, in-person programme that combines classroom instruction with hands-on training in hospitality standards. Modules include Professional Food and Beverage Service Techniques, Customer Service Best Practices, and Food Industry Hygiene.
Through initiatives such as H.O.S.T., the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs remains committed to investing in the nation’s young people by equipping them with marketable skills, building their confidence and professionalism, and creating pathways to employment that contribute to workforce growth and national development.