Travel & Hospitality Concierge Classes
Many travel and hospitality concierge training courses are available in college campuses and online courses, or through the organizations themselves. Courses offer knowledge and skills needed by a concierge, such as developing interpersonal, etiquette and communications skills, and learning conflict resolution and security procedures. Training varies: It can last several hours or can comprise a degree program leading to a degree in hospitality.
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Function
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Concierges provide guest services in a prestigious manner. Positions are common in industries such as hotels and restaurants, as well as in cruise ships, museums, resorts and spas. The job includes activities such as making guests or customers feel important, errand running, service requests and problem solving. The position requires great people skills coupled with a strong and independent personality. A concierge education gives students the personal skills needed to accommodate customers in any situation, whether it is a simple errand or a major complaint.
Types
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Training varies and includes classes on specialized needs like conflict resolution. Or you can get a bachelor's degree in hospitality. Magnums Butlers, a butler training facility, offers a three-day program that trains students on interpersonal skills, customer need recognition and communication. The Arts Institute offers bachelor's and associate's degrees in hospitality management. Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, operates a full-scale hotel where students integrate knowledge and skills in real-world hotel. The International School of Hospitality, based in Las Vegas, Nevada, offers both on-campus programs as well as online programs in hospitality education. Courses are offered in three-month, five-week or self-paced options, depending on time and class location. Some larger corporations, such as the Ritz-Carlton Hotels and Resorts, offer in-house training for all of their employees.
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Facts
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Concierge employment will continue to grow as long as services such as the travel industry, hotels, restaurants and resorts remain active. A hotel offers hospitality positions, such as front desk relations, restaurant management, pool or spa management, housekeeping management, bellhop work, parking and grounds management or general accommodations. Travel industry positions include airports, travel agencies or corporate travel work. According to PayScale.com, typical salaries in 2011 for a concierge were $18,592 to $32,149 but can be higher, based on the organization and location the position is associated with.
Significance
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A training program or degree in hospitality is not required for many concierge positions, but specialized education may give an applicant of a position that extra boost when competing against others. A potential employee who has received training from prior classes is likely to offer a company a more cost-effective investment than a person who requires additional training.
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References
- The International School of Hospitality; Art of Concierge Certificate
- Magnums Butlers; Concierge Training Programme
- PayScale; Salary Snapshot for Concierge Jobs
- Education-Portal.com; Hotel Concierge Degrees With Course Descriptions
- Kirkwood Community College; Hotel Management
- The Ritz-Carlton Hotels and Resorts; Course Descriptions
