Hospitality Services Offers a Range of Options
Students are positively responding to Centennial College’s Hospitality Services, which takes two semesters to complete and results in an Ontario College Certificate. Their responses are just part of the proof that this program is beneficial for those looking to establish themselves as professionals in a range of careers available in the hospitality industry, including room attendant, front desk clerk, food service, cook or maintenance worker. For example, Eiikeme Ehirim, who graduated from the Hospitality College in 2011, had this to say: “I studied in an industry that I am passionate about. The Hospitality Services program consists of learning about hotels and restaurants. The focus is put on food and beverage services, sanitation, life skills and job readiness. This experience has taught me about time management skills and resourcefulness. Centennial College has had major impact on me in terms of informing me about global citizenship opportunities. Teachers are awesome about pushing me to succeed and are knowledgeable about this industry. This is the best educational experience I have ever known.”
Let’s expand on Eiikeme’s points. First and foremost, in order to attend the hospitality courses offered within this undertaking, students must have completed an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or have mature student status (19 years or older).
Once students are accepted, they study a wide range of topics, as Eiikeme mentioned. Specific hospitality courses include: Communication Skills for Hospitality Service Workers, Front of the House Agent, Room Attendant, Visitor Information Services, Beverage Services, Safety & Sanitation, and more. In addition to industry specific courses, students of Hospitality Services are also exposed to courses that will help them to get jobs upon graduation. Among these courses are: Communication Skills of Hospitality Services, Introduction to Math, Life Skills and Job Readiness. Industry professionals, who serve as instructors, explain and help students to master all of these hospitality management topics. They all possess current experience, ensuring that any advice students obtain is up-to-date and geared to helping them obtain a career. To complement what they have learned in class, students participate in a two-day-a week work experience placement at a restaurant or hotel. This allows them to apply what they have learned, network and obtain new knowledge.
Also weaved into the Hospitality Services offering are hands-on training opportunities. Because students are based out of Progress Campus, which houses all of the School of Hospitality and Tourism offerings, they have access to a number of facilities. Among these facilities are a conference centre, which gives students an opportunity to organize conferences and meetings, and a kitchen in which students can gain hands on experience with planning menus and running a kitchen.
In addition to earning an Ontario College Certificate upon completion of this hospitality courses, students also have the opportunity to take certification exams in Sanitation and Beverage Services, thus graduating with the confidence and required skills to work in this industry. Should students be interested in further education, they can transfer to one of Centennial College’s more specialized hospitality management programs.
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