The tourism industry knows what skills they are looking for in new hires. Now, Sinclair has a certificate program that trains students for those jobs.
The hospitality reception and service specialist short-term technical certificate can be earned with one course in eight weeks. It was launched this fall out of a meeting the college had with tourism leaders in Warren County. The area is expected to add jobs, including more than 500 when the new $175 million Miami Valley Gaming & Racing racino opens in December.
A second racino, the $125 million Hollywood at Dayton Raceway at Wagner Ford and Needmore roads, will open next year and create 1,000 jobs at the facility or related businesses.
“It was created specifically for entry-level employment,” said Sinclair professor Derek Allen, who is department chair. “It encompasses mastering soft skills, such as etiquette and decorum, problem solving and industry knowledge.”
About 75 students are enrolled now. Allen said he expects most of them to get jobs, and he receives calls on almost a weekly basis from restaurants, lodges, convention centers and others who are looking for qualified employees.
“This is a starting block,” he said.
This spring, the course will be taught at Sinclair’s Courseview campus in Mason. The college expects to offer the training online starting in summer 2014, Allen said. The course, including textbook, is $180.
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