Hotel sector targeted in new training initiative

Hotel sector targeted in new training initiative

News article jointly issued on behalf of:

Hospitality Standards Institute and the New Zealand Hotel Council

New Zealand’s first industry-wide training programme for the accommodation sector has seen two of the hospitality industry’s leading organisations unite to develop The National Hotel Corporate Training Programme - a joint co-operative between the New Zealand Hotel Council (NZHC) and the Hospitality Standards Institute (HSI).

At the launch of The National Hotel Corporate Training Programme in Wellington on March 22, Hospitality Standards Institute chief executive Steve Hanrahan said the new training initiative signaled a broadening approach to workplace-based training across the wider aspects of the hospitality industry.

“HSI is excited about the potential for this programme at a time when training and staff retention are two of the most critical operational issues impacting on all segments of New Zealand’s hospitality industry… including the accommodation sector," Mr Hanrahan explained.

New Zealand Hotel Council chief executive Jennie Langley said the joint initiative was a pro-active response to address the current serious shortage of skilled hotel-related employees which was having a major impact on the accommodation sector of New Zealand’s tourism industry.

"New Zealand’s leading hotel groups have been active in running their own training programmes for a number of years. This new initiative broadens what they are already doing, makes relevant training available to a wider group, and reinforces the importance of career planning within the hotel sector,” Ms Langley said.

Ms Langley said the rationale for the programme was two-fold. Firstly, to attract more employees into careers in hotels – rather than just part-time holiday jobs – and to give them the professional skills needed to deliver quality customer service.

Then secondly, but equally as important, to retain new recruits alongside existing employees in longer-term career paths which would enable them to rise through the staffing ranks and stay in this dynamic sector of the industry.

Ms Langley predicted The National Hotel Corporate Training Programme would appeal to a wide range of potential employees because it allowed participants to gain internationally-recognised qualifications while they worked.

“These traineeships deliver practical hands-on, value-for-money learning which is not only relevant to their current job but will also recognised by other hotels in New Zealand and, in time internationally,” she concluded.

There are two New Zealand National Hotel Corporate Training Programmes available...

1. NZHC Entry Level Certificate, Level 3 - an entry-level programme available at NZHC-member properties nationwide. The course is aimed at personnel starting their careers in the hotel industry - empowering employees with such basic skills such as computer literacy, customer relations, housekeeping, food and beverage, and guest services.

Running over 12-months, the entry level certificate training is predominantly workplace-based - meaning participants can acquire qualifications without having to leave their usual place of employment.

2. NZHC National Diploma in Hotel Management, Level 5 - a programme aimed at supervisors and managers who are already working in the hotel industry. The training covers areas such as accounting, food and beverage management, host responsibility, staff recruitment, and departmental management encompassing the various sectors within a hotel.

For New Zealand Hotel Council members, both training programmes are subsidised by the Hospitality Standards Institute. Training is jointly delivered by participating hotels in conjunction with private training provider ARTISAN.

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Background notes.

New Zealand Hotel Council is an incorporated society whose members include more than 120 international chain properties, independent, privately-owned, and boutique hotels throughout the country. Members make up 100% of the large hotels operating in the main centres, manage some 16,000 rooms, control capital assets valued at more than $2.5 billion, and employ more than 900 full and part-time staff. Member groups include the Accor, Millennium, Rydges, Heritage, Scenic Circle and Grand Chancellor groups, stand-alone international-brand properties such as Hilton, Stamford Plaza, Hyatt, Carlton and Langham, and other premium hotels such as The George, Eichardts, Millbrook Estate, Edgewater Resort, Clearwater Resort, Museum Hotel and Warners.

The Hospitality Standards Institute is an industry-led training organisation (ITO) whose role is to develop and monitor New Zealand Qualifications Authority unit standards and qualifications for the hospitality industry. The HSI oversees, supervises, assists and reviews all nationally-recognised training for chefs, waiters, porters, hotel receptionists, house-keepers, duty managers and bar persons.

ARTISAN is a nationwide training and people development organisation focused on New Zealand's service industries. ARTISAN has links with most of the key hotels around the country and qualified trainers and assessors in all regions.

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