The Rural Development Project has awarded a $174,942 grant to Kapi'olani Community College to create an education program with an emphasis on the cruise industry and to work with NCL America to develop a customized training program for their Hawai'i ships.

KCC will have the opportunity to share their training expertise to assist NCLA with assessing and upgrading their new hire training program, as well as providing training to enhance employees' skills and increase their knowledge of the Islands. NCLA will also provide their industry expertise and work in partnership with KCC as they begin to develop a "Certificate of Competence" with an emphasis in the cruise industry.

KCC Dean of Hospitality, Culinary and College Advancement Carol Hoshiko said:

"We are very proud of this grant and especially pleased to have the opportunity to work with an organization such as NCLA. This partnership with NCLA reaffirms the community's recognition of our faculty and the valued service in providing not only a quality education for students, but also for the business community through our expertise in training, continued learning and development."

Said Alan Yamamoto, NCL America vice president, Hawai'i Operations: "We look forward to collaborating with Kapi'olani Community College and sharing our knowledge of the industry to help develop a cruise education emphasis.

"We recognize Kapi'olani Community College's strengths to assist us in providing training and workforce development for our crew. NCLA is proud to employ thousands of crew members aboard our U.S. flag fleet in Hawai'i."

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