A group of HFTE students displaying their certificates.
PHILIPSBURG--Hospitality First Training plus Education (HFTE) Academy recently handed out more than 450 certificates to students who had completed various parts of the school’s hospitality programme.
“We are very proud of what our students have accomplished to date,” HFTE Academy Programme Director Sergio Walsarie Wolff said while personally handing out the certificates to students. “It is a testament to the dedication of the students who have different backgrounds, but are united in their quest for personal improvement and sustainable employment.”
One of the most coveted certificates at HFTE Academy is the Customer Service Gold certificate which is administered in cooperation with American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). The course teaches hospitality workers how to be authentic in their service delivery, how to read customers’ needs before they express them and the importance of really delighting the guests, among other things.
A total of 149 students received the AHLEI Customer Service Gold certificate and the golden lapel pin that comes with the certification.
Another sought-after certificate at the HFTE Academy is that of Hospitality 360. Students get “a good taste” of the main hotel departments in the six-month course, after which they can choose one or more specialties in line with their interest and competence.
Approximately 250 students also completed various specialty courses. The main specialties during this cycle were Restaurant, Bar, Housekeeping and Front Desk.
During the Restaurant Specialty course students gain knowledge on the different types of restaurants, types of services provided and discuss all the operational details of the restaurant business.
In the Bar Specialty course, students are taught about the different types of spirits, cocktails, beers, wines, daily bar operations and closing procedures.
Cleaning procedures, cleaning compounds, safety and daily housekeeping operations take centre stage during the Housekeeping Specialty.
The Front Desk Specialty delves into the different types of hotels and how that relates to the entire guest cycle, the many roles and responsibilities of the Front Desk, as well as check-in and check-out procedures.
A group of HFTE students displaying their certificates with facilitators and HFTE Programme Director Sergio Walsarie Wolff in the background.
“Our students are either unemployed or underemployed “ explained Wolff. “Armed with new knowledge and certificates, we are helping them to improve their chances of securing long-term employment. We are also forging alliances with other institutes to provide new learning opportunities for current and future students. We expect to make some formal announcements in the coming weeks.”
HFTE Academy offers workers whose employment status has been adversely affected by the devastation of Hurricane Irma the opportunity to use the training programme as a springboard for a career in the hospitality industry or for career advancement. It is a central part of the Emergency Income Support and Training Project (EISTP) financed through the World Bank.
Enrolled students receive financial support (a stipend) for attending classes and successfully completing the programme as well as a small transportation allowance. Hospitality classes are given at Hillside Christian Schools’ Asha Stevens Campus and Culinary classes are taught at National Institute for Professional Advancement (NIPA).
The courses are given six days a week from 3:00 to 9:00pm, and on Saturday from 9:00am to 3:30pm. Interested persons can call HFTE at tel. 520-7574 for more information about the courses offered or can sign up at the Labour Department.
