Taipei, Dec. 13 (CNA) Leofoo Development Co., a leading hotel chain operator in Taiwan, said Wednesday it would offer new graduates a starting salary of NT$31,000 (US$1,033) from February 2018. The offer is part of a joint education-training program detailed in a memorandum of understanding signed on Dec. 12 with Chung Hua University (CHU) based in Hsinchu.

Leofoo said this is the first time the company has worked with CHU and senior managers are expected to lecture students at the university's College of Tourism. At the same time, student trainees will also receive on-the-job work experience at the company's hotels and other outlets.

Leofoo said that trainees who meet the required standard will receive a job offer with a minimum monthly salary of NT$31,000 (US$1,033).

Leofoo's training program echoes a call from Premier Lai Ching-te (賴清德) urging local employers to raise entry level wages for employees to NT$30,000 in a bid to ensure young talent is used to promote local economic development.

In November, Lai cited recent government statistics indicating an average starting salary for university graduates of about NT$28,000 per month, which he suggested was too low.

Lulu Chuang (莊豐如), chief executive officer of Leofoo, which owns tourism assets such as the Westin Taipei, Leofoo Hotel, serviced apartments at Leofoo Residences, Leofoo Village theme park, Leofoo Water Park and Leofoo Resort Guanhsi, said the group is looking to cultivate a talent pool for future operations.

Chuang said the company, a 45-year old tourism brand in Taiwan, serves about 4.5 million customers a year and is hoping the new trainee program with CHU will give a boost to the local tourism industry.

Liu Wei-chi (劉維琪), president of the university, which is located in Hsinchu, said the joint program with Leofoo is expected to turn the College of Tourism into a training hub for the tourism business in Hsinchu, where Leofoo Village and Leo Resort Guanhsi are located.

(By Jiang Ming-yan and Frances Huang)
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