Hospitality Services Trains You For Range of Careers Options

Did you know that by attending Centennial College’s Hospitality Services not only can you find work at establishments such as Travel Lodge, Boston Pizza, Chartwells, Swiss Chalet, Shoeless Joe’s, Moxie’s and Kelsey’s but at each of these establishments you may apply for various positions? That’s because this two-semester program results in students having the know-how to work in food and beverage services, kitchen operations, housekeeping and front office. As former student of Hospitality Services Ejikeme Ehirim sums up, “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.”

To apply for this Hospitality Services program, you are required to have completed minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or have mature student status (19 years or older). It is worth noting that Centennial College recommends Hospitality Services as an option for individuals who have completed Grade 12 Workplace level English.

As a student attending this program’s hospitality courses, you will have the advantage of a balance between theory and hands-on industry experience that is gained through the on-campus training restaurant laboratory, off-campus experiences and lectures. On the theoretical side, the hospitality courses cover topics such as visitor information services, safety and sanitation, room attendant, kitchen and dining room operations, life skills and job readiness, front of the house agent, beverage services and more. In addition, the Hospitality Services program ensures that you obtain know-how in job-seeking techniques, and job interview and resume skills to give you a better chance of obtaining a job directly after graduation.

Meanwhile, the practical side of Hospitality Services consists of the use of Progress Campus, which is home to all School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culture courses. As such, you will have access to a conference centre at which functions are held and a real-life restaurant called Horizons where you can further develop food and beverage skills. In addition, the Hospitality Services program features a work placement component. When you head out into the field for this feature, you will spend two days a week working at a restaurant or hotel, applying what you have learned and obtaining new skills from seasoned professionals. This Hospitality Services field placement can also be used as a networking opportunity.

Once you complete your Hospitality Services program, you will obtain an Ontario College Certificate, and have the opportunity to complete certification exams in Sanitation and Beverage Services. And, although you will be job ready, the Hospitality Services program also allows you to further your education by transferring to one of Centennial College’s more specialized hospitality management programs.