Social Investment

 SOCIAL INVESTMENT PHILOSOPHY

In the beginning our Chairman, Mr Stehlik said :

 “Nobody will ever judge Protea by the speed of our growth or the size of the group, but only by the quality of our operation and the quality of our relationship with our STAKEHOLDERS.”

Our social investment programme is directed at two of our identified STAKEHOLDERS, our COMMUNITY and our STAFF.

To this end we have a well developed internal mentorship programme and two In-service traineeship programmes, the objective of which is:
To identify individuals with the potential to advance and assist them with their career path so that we have trained and competent management in line with:
• Demographics of the country; and
• Our agreed - upon employment equity targets
Within the shortest possible period of time.

Protea Hotels is proud to be in association with this the Reach for A Dream organisation as a sponsor. We have dedicated various Social Investment projects to this worthy cause.

Our in-service traineeship programmes are fully subsidised by the company to the tune of approx R 7000 000 (seven million) annually. We currently have 163 trainees 71% of which come from a previously disadvantaged background and our retention rate is 90%. Our high retention rate is due to our strong succession programmes and commitment to promote from within.

Protea owned properties contribute R2000 000 (two million) annually with a total of 48 students 71% of whom come from a previously disadvantaged background.

Also proudly because of our philosophy and commitment to development from within, 60% of our General Managers and Executive Chefs have come through our in-service traineeship programmes. We have a strong mentorship and accelerated learning programme in place for our future leaders.

In 2003, we started a bursary fund to support previously disadvantaged students attending other Nationally Registered Hotel Schools and to date have contributed R1 887 000.00 towards the development of 142 students. This year alone we have given 32 previously disadvantaged students bursaries to a total value of over half a million (R500 500.00)

It is a minimum requirement that every Protea Hotel, our Head Office and Regional offices have social investment programmes.