Hotel Management School Program Takes Just Two Semesters To Complete

Imagine attending one program and being able to work in varied areas of tourism and hospitality such as: hotel and restaurant general management, human resources management, sales and marketing management, convention services management, cruise lines and more. It’s possible with Centennial College’s Hotel Management Course. The hotel, resort and restaurant management industry is a field that encompasses all of the above areas and brings in $18.8-billion in national accommodation revenue through 8,356 properties with 378,000 employees (as reported in 2008 by the Hotel Association of Canada).

The program at Centennial College (officially known as Hotel, Resort & Restaurant Management) is only two semesters yet is very intensive as it covers key management areas such as: finance, human resources, labour relations, oenology, international operations, leadership, entrepreneurship, security and risk, service quality, marketing and revenue management. This offering is geared at professionals who already have post-secondary accreditation but are looking for a career change or upgrade. Therefore, applicants must submit an official transcript demonstrating proof of successful completion of a post-secondary diploma or degree program. A resume review may also be required. Centennial College will consider applicants presenting a combination of partial post secondary education and relevant work experience, open to all disciplines.

During their time learning the aforementioned areas, students gain hands-on experience through operational lab practice facilities, a full service student operated restaurant called Horizons, modern continually updated computer labs and an on-site conference centre. These facilities prepare students of hotel management school for the valuable work experience they obtain through an individualized industry placement, designed to provide a practical foundation for their career. Taking place during the second semester, the placement is two-days per week. Companies willing to hire 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.

Upon graduation from the hotel management program, students fill positions in a variety of areas that come together to make the hotel, resort and restaurant industry a success. For example, professionals may work as sales and marketing managers who use creative thinking skills to market the hotel and to draw people in. Another job is that of the human resources hotel manager, who hires staff and may be in charge of managing press, relations with the community and more. In addition, there are positions such as housekeeping manager (responsible for team of room attendants), front-desk management team (ensures guests are checked in and out of in a timely manner), restaurant and service management team (ensures that food at the hotel restaurant is top quality, tableware is sparking and that furniture is perfectly comfortable and clean); and general hotel manager (oversees all of these departments to ensure the hotel is running smoothly).