Otago tutor reigns supreme at training awards

MEDIA RELEASE
Date: 11 July 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Otago hospitality tutor reigns supreme at national hospitality training awards

Otago hospitality tutor Adrian Woodhouse received top honours at the hospitality industry’s national training awards, picking up the Supreme Award for Excellence in Training and Innovation.

The Otago Polytechnic tutor was also named Hospitality Tutor of the Year at the awards, held in Wellington on Monday, organised by the Hospitality Standards Institute (HSI).

HSI’s Chief Executive Steve Hanrahan says the supreme award is a reflection of Otago Polytechnic’s commitment to providing high-quality hospitality qualifications. “Passionate tutors like Adrian are vital for growing future talent in hospitality. They inspire students to achieve the exciting career prospects that this dynamic industry can offer.”

This year is the first time in the awards’ history that the supreme award has been won by a tutor, as previous winners have been organisations.

Adrian is a big believer in using cutting-edge technology to reach his students. “Embracing the youth culture of technology has been key to helping my students learn. I focus on using different media and often use iPods when I’m tutoring, which the students really respond well to,” he says.
“It’s great to see the industry recognising innovative methods of teaching. The most rewarding aspect of this career for me is seeing my students grow through encouragement and support,” he says.

Mr Hanrahan says it’s also encouraging to see workplace training so prevalent in the hospitality industry, as shown by category winners including the Heritage Hotel, Millennium Hotels and Resorts, and Café Exchange. “For employees, being able to earn while they learn in workplaces like these makes hospitality an attractive career choice,” Mr Hanrahan says.

As the hospitality industry’s training organisation (ITO), HSI leads access to training and qualifications for the hospitality industry, including overseeing, supervising, assisting and reviewing all nationally recognised training for chefs, waiters, baristas, bar persons, porters, hotel receptionists, room-attendants, house-keepers, supervisors and managers.

HSI also provides support and guidance to schools, polytechnics and providers that teach and assess Unit Standards through hospitality courses.

Category winners for the awards announced on Monday are:

HSI Supreme Award for Excellence in Training and Innovation:
Adrian Woodhouse, Otago Polytechnic

Registered Assessor of the Year:
Leesa Thomason, People in Hospitality Ltd, Auckland

Excellence in Training: Organisation
Millennium Hotels & Resorts, Nationwide

Excellence in Training: School
Lynfield College, Auckland

Excellence in Training: Training Provider (workplace partnerships):
Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology (CPIT)

Hospitality Tutor of the Year:
Adrian Woodhouse, Otago Polytechnic

Excellence in Training: Workplace (accommodation):
Heritage Hotel Rotorua

Excellence in Training: Workplace (catering):
Cater Plus Services NZ Ltd, Nationwide

Excellence in Training: Qualification Pathways:
NorthTec, Northland

Excellence in Training: Workplace (café, bar, restaurant):
Café Exchange, Taihape

Training Product of the Year:
Liquor Licensing Bureau & e-Blended Learning Solutions Ltd, Auckland

Workplace Trainer of the Year:
Terri Fynch, Millennium Hotels & Resorts, Nationwide

ENDS

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