Applications open for 2026 Dart Hospitality Educators Programme

Educators across the Cayman Islands are invited to apply for the 2026 Dart Hospitality Educators Programme, an immersive one-week experience free to teachers, coaches and career mentors with an interest in hospitality. The programme provides hand-on exposure to the industry, equipping participants with practical insights and real-world examples from the hospitality and tourism sector. Educators will then return to their classrooms better prepared to tailor lessons and guidance that support students pursuing careers in hotels, restaurants and service-related fields. 

Launched in 2025, the programme welcomed 11 professionals in its inaugural year. For 2026, Dart has expanded eligibility to include all educators Year 11 and up or career counsellors who are interested in learning more about the hospitality industry — not only those teaching hospitality and tourism subjects – further strengthening the connection between education and one of Cayman’s leading industries. 

Participants will shadow professionals across Dart’s hospitality portfolio, including Bonny Moon Beach Club, Hampton by Hilton Grand Cayman, Hotel Indigo® Grand Cayman, Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa, Ms. Piper’s Kitchen + Garden and The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman. 

The Dart Hospitality Educators Programme will provide educators with a deeper understanding of the technology, processes and skills used across the hospitality and tourism industries. They will learn the core competencies employers expect from future talent, see firsthand how classroom theory translates into real-world application and strengthen their ability to prepare students for thriving careers in one of Cayman’s most dynamic sectors. 

“As the hospitality landscape continues to evolve, many educators have noted a widening gap between textbook theory and current industry practice,” said Dianne Conolly, Dart's hospitality programme manager. “This programme was developed to help bridge that divide, ensuring that students graduate with relevant knowledge and career-ready skills.

“By opening the programme up to all educators – regardless of specialty – we are strengthening the connection between our schools and our industry,” Conolly continued. “When educators understand what today’s employers expect, they are even better positioned to guide and inspire the next generation of talent.” 

The programme forms part of Dart’s broader commitment to workforce development through its hospitality training initiatives. These include the four-month paid Dart Hospitality Training Programme, which provides young Caymanians aged 17–30 who are recent secondary or tertiary graduates, with hands-on experience across multiple departments within Dart’s hospitality portfolio.

“Hospitality is not only a cornerstone of Cayman’s economy,” said Joanne Lawson, chief of staff at Dart. “It represents a long-term opportunity for sustainable national growth. Our vision at Dart is to see Caymanians leading and innovating within the hospitality sector at every level, and that vision begins in the classroom. That’s what these training initiatives are all about.”

Educators are encouraged to apply by 19 April 2026 to secure a place in one of the three available sessions: 

Week 1: 11-15 May 2026
Week 2: 1-5 June 2026
Week 3: 8-12 June 2026

To learn more about the Dart Hospitality Educators Programme and to apply, click here.