Hospitality Services in Two Semesters

Centennial College’s Hospitality Courses was created to give students who aren’t exactly sure what area of tourism and hospitality they want to work in an overview of the field. With the majority of its students not having any previous industry experience, Hospitality Services also focuses on offering hands-on practice in a variety of ways. The best part? It only takes two semesters to complete this hospitality college offering and receive an Ontario College certificate that qualifies grads to work as: front desk clerks, food service workers, cooks, room attendants or maintenance workers. It also gives them the opportunity to take certification exams in Sanitation and Beverage Services.

Let’s take a more detailed look at Centennial College’s Hospitality Services program by examining its two semesters.

Semester One: Because students come from a range of backgrounds, fostering an inclusive environment is an essential part of the hospitality courses in this offering. As such, students often collaborate on projects while faculty members encourage classroom discussions and ensure students receive one-on-one time. Aside from industry-specific courses such as Front of the House Agent, Room Attendant and Visitor Information Services, students also attend courses that indirectly help them to succeed. For example, Communication Skills for Hospitality Workers 1 helps students to write clearly, to read effectively, and to listen carefully. Furthermore, these communication basics help students to express their ideas in a coherent manner. To accomplish these goals, the hospitality course examines a number of short prose readings and work on language skills. At the same time, students enrich their vocabulary and foster spelling and punctuation techniques. Another standout feature of this Hospitality Services offering is its field placement opportunities, which take place in both semesters. This allows students to apply what they have learned at companies that may hire them as paid employees upon graduation. Among some of the companies that have hired Centennial College Hospitality Services grads are: Swiss Chalet, Chart-wells, Kelsey’s, Shoeless Joe’s, Boston Pizza, Moxie’s and Travel Lodge.

Semester Two: The second semester of Hospitality Services builds on the knowledge students acquired during the first semester. As such, students attend industry-specific hospitality courses such as: Beverage Services, Safety & Sanitation, and Kitchen and Dining Room Operations. To assist students in becoming comfortable in these areas are the hospitality college facilities on Progress Campus. Among the facilities from which Hospitality Services students benefit are a real-life restaurant where they can play a number of roles, a conference centre that is run by students and mimics a real-world environment as well as a computerized training facility. Continued from semester one, at more advanced levels, are courses such as Communications Skills for Hospitality Service Worker, Life Skills & Job Readiness, and Introduction to Math. In semester two of Hospitality Services, students also enjoy another field placement.

Hospitality Services applicants are asked to have completed at least an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or have mature student status (19 years or older). After completing this hospitality college program, students can also transfer to one of Centennial College’s more specifically focused hospitality management programs.