Complete Hotel Management Courses Include Practical Experience

Those employed in the Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Management sector of the tourism industry (hotel and restaurant general management, human resources management, sales and marketing management, convention services management and cruise lines) have many hands-on, practical duties in their various positions. As such, if you are considering entering this area, you want to attend a post-secondary program that balances theory and practical application. Centennial College’s graduate hotel management program, officially known as Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Management, does just that with its intense two semesters of study.

This hotel management program, which is geared at mature students who have a previous education or experience in this field, not only offers classes with lectures and discussions but also the use of on-campus facilities and field placements to ensure students are field-ready. For one, Centennial College employs extensive use of modern computer labs (where students can master computer software of their industry), operational lab practice facilities including an on-site conference centre (where students can learn to organize conventions), and a full-service student-operated restaurant called Horizons (where students can learn to run a kitchen as well as the “front of the house” of the restaurant).

Through these various resources and their hotel management courses, students learn about: finance, human resources, labour relations, oenology, international operations, leadership, entrepreneurship, security and risk, service quality, marketing and revenue management. All hotel management courses are led and supervised by industry professionals.

As a chance to apply what they have learned in their hotel management course, students partake in a two-day-per week industry placement for 15 weeks in semester two. Field placement is also an opportunity for students to better understand the dynamics of the industry, increase their knowledge of industry practices and provides a competitive advantage of experience in the job market. Companies willing to hire hotel management program graduates after work placement include Delta Hotels & Resorts, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental Hotel Group, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, and more. The accommodation, food and beverage sectors in the hospitality industry, in 2010, employed 1,086,000 people and generated revenues of almost $18.8-billion.

Applicants to the hotel management courses must have previously finished a college diploma or university degree in hospitality, tourism or related discipline. They must also ensure their resume demonstrates relevant work experience in the industry as it may be required as part of the admission process. Please note that the hotel management program will consider applicants with a diploma or degree in an unrelated discipline who have related work experience. It will also consider applicants with partial post secondary education and relevant work experience in hospitality.