Exceptional hospitality begins with people.

The welcome at the door. The perfectly prepared room. A meal that becomes a memory. The quiet attention to detail that makes a guest feel genuinely cared for. Behind every experience is a person, and behind every great hospitality professional is a journey of learning, practice and growth.

That is where R.A.C.E. begins.

R.A.C.E. – The Resplendent Academy for Career Excellence, is an 18-month structured development programme created to help young Sri Lankans build a career in hospitality. Combining structured learning with real workplace experience, the programme is designed to take students beyond the classroom and into the world of luxury hospitality.

23 students. One journey.

The journey to R.A.C.E. began with nearly 200 students from across Sri Lanka.

Working closely with the National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA), our Learning & Development team conducted awareness programmes in different regions of the country, introducing young people to the possibilities of a career in hospitality.

From nearly 200 interviews, 60 students were shortlisted and invited to take part in an activity-based interview process. Following a careful and comprehensive assessment involving the Resplendent Ceylon leadership team, 23 students were selected to form the first R.A.C.E. cohort.

Learning by doing

R.A.C.E. offers development across three of the foundations of hotel operations: professional cookery, food and beverage service, and housekeeping.

Over the course of 18 months, R.A.C.E. students will move beyond their initial training environments and gain real workplace experience across Resplendent Ceylon’s Relais & Châteaux and Michelin Key properties.

They will experience different teams, operations and environments, putting their learning into practice while developing an understanding of the standards, discipline and attention to detail that shape luxury hospitality.

From the classroom to the real world

R.A.C.E. is designed to prepare students for more than a career in hospitality – it’s about building the skills, confidence and mindset to thrive in the real world. Alongside practical hospitality training, students develop their English, communication, leadership, emotional intelligence, etiquette and professional skills, with support throughout the 18-month programme.

With accommodation, meals, uniforms, a monthly allowance and tips provided, students can focus on learning and developing.

Graduates also receive an NVQ Level 4 certification through NAITA and, most importantly, a guaranteed opportunity to join the Resplendent Ceylon cadre, creating a direct pathway from learning to employment.

Investing in people

For Resplendent Ceylon, R.A.C.E. is about investing in the people who will shape the future of hospitality. It is about creating opportunities for young Sri Lankans to build skills, confidence and experience, while creating a stronger pathway from potential to a long-term career. Because hospitality, at its heart, is human service, the ability to welcome, understand, anticipate and care.

“Business is a matter of human service.”

– Merrill J. Fernando