Page 18 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – Friday, December 6, 2019 Nearly 20 students complete CONNECT, IINE hospitality training By Tara Vocino S eventeen people, many of them Revere residents, recently graduated from an intensive two-and-halfweek training program that has set them up for a new, better-paying career in the hospitality industry. The training was provided through a partnership between CONNECT and the International Institute of New England (IINE). CONNECT helps residents get better jobs, manage their finances and achieve their goals. IINE has operated a highly regarded hospitality training program for more than 20 years. Since 2017, CONNECT and IINE have partnered to train residents of Chelsea, Revere and surrounding communities in the booming hospitality industry. “Trainees learned about career opportunities in the hospitality industry, what it’s like to work in hotels, how to deliver excellent customer service and how to communicate their knowledge and experience to potential employers in the Industry,” said CONNECT volunteer Evie Heffernan. “They also learned about personal financial management and are encouraged to continue working with CONNECT’s experienced coaches, as they begin their new, better-paying careers.” Tara Vocino may be reached at printjournalist1@gmail.com. GRADUATES: Shown in the front row are Jeanine Amico, Amanda Pech, Gongerina Pech and Jane O’Brien. Shown in the middle row are Irvin Pacheco, Irma Valladares, Ana Patricia Giron, Fatima Lemus Valle and Katherine Paz. Shown in the back row are Ilham Bakkali, Fatima Laouamra, Soukina Tribla and Adelfettah Charafi. Missing from the photo were Belinda Martinez, Devolyne Vails, Dilma Bergher and Edna Luz De Jesus. (Advocate Photos by Tara Vocino) Revere Society for Cultural and Historic Preservation President Robert Upton congratulated the graduates. Skills Training Manager Alex Kubana encouraged the graduates to be themselves and to work hard. Revere’s Director of Economic Development and Strategic Planning, Robert O’Brien, said the city is indebted to the graduates of the hospitality training program. CONNECT Financial Coach Laura Lucas helps graduates create action plans to build credit and save money. International Institute of New England Workforce Development Manager Hillary Bradburn said she is available to help graduates. CONNECT Director Stefanie Shull said the organization has a satellite office at 17 Walden St. in Revere. Jeanine Amico of Everett hopes to land a front desk job at Encore Boston Harbor. Gongerina Pech hopes to get hired as a chef assistant at Encore Boston Harbor. The only graduate who had already secured employment, Everett resident Irma Valladares, starts her new job this week as a full-time housekeeper at Encore Boston Harbor. Katherine Paz of Revere hopes to get a management or accounting job at the Holiday Inn.
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