The International hotel Industry is facing
an extreme shortage of talented, competent, well trained AND experienced
Management staff. It is well documented that the Hospitality Industry
is expanding worldwide and figures show that by the year 2005 the
industry will employ more than 200 million workers.
As an illustration of how one can study in Australia to enter this
profession, lets look at The Blue Mountains International Hotel
Management School. B.M.I.H.M.S recognizes that students, as individuals,
have different motivations, desires and goals. As a consequence,
they have developed and implemented a variety of courses designed
to appeal to and meet the expectations of the International student
body which make up the campus.
Not only are these qualifications designed to meet student expectations,
they are also designed to meet the demands of the exciting and dynamic
Hotel Management Industry. Additionally, these qualifications are
accredited at the highest level with the appropriate accrediting
bodies.
Graduates receive Swiss, Australian and British qualifications
subject to the courses studied. With Europe now being joined in
Union, the British and Swiss qualifications are very necessary and
extremely highly regarded.
There is economic benefit in studying in Australia rather than
the UK or Europe. The Australian dollar is more affordable than
its ‘EURO’ counterpart.
Combining the economic benefits with the obvious attractions of
AUSTRALIA makes it a great place to live, learn and earn.
Imagine yourself living in Leura, one of the prettiest villages
in one of the most popular tourist regions of New South Wales, the
Blue Mountains National Park.
What makes the area special is that, even though it is spread over
240,000 hectares and includes a world heritage-listed national wilderness
park, the Blue Mountains is virtually on the doorstep of Sydney.
You are a fast 1 ½ hours from Australia’s most exciting city,
and, on a clear day, it is possible to see its skyline.
Fine food, good wine and art combined with the beauty of the National
Park are but a few of the major attractions which this semi-rural
city offers students from throughout Australia and all over the
world.
As Leura lies in the heart of this thriving tourism area, students
seeking part time work have opportunities to find employment in
the many hotels, guest houses and restaurants nearby. This experience
will be a great advantage in gaining one of those exciting competitive
positions during the Sydney Year 2000 Olympic Games. To date there
are over 680 graduates currently working in exciting, interesting,
well paid positions in the major 4 and 5 star hotels throughout
the world.
Surrounded by gardens in a region that is well known for its beautiful
public and private gardens, the BMIHMS campus offers its own range
of recreational facilities: heated swimming pool, tennis court,
gymnasium, sauna, recreation room with pool table, coffee shop,
student dining room, beach volley ball court. The Leura golf course
is just across the road.
Australia’s first residential hospitality school was opened
in 1991. Students live in comfortable shared accommodation. Rooms
have windows looking out to the gardens and all have en-suite bathrooms.
Each is equipped with a telephone and a computer linked to Email
and the Internet.
The School is quite self-contained with its own library and computer
room where students can study and work. All students share several
things in common, among them the pursuit of a career in hospitality
or tourism, and the fact that they are all living away from home.
Aware of these facts, staff are available to assist students after
hours if required. The School also has a full-time counselor on
staff and an International Students Association.
Students operate the School as a Hotel throughout their course,
where they are both employees and guests, acquiring experience in
Front Office, Reception and Room Service. From day one they are
rostered on a range of duties that include cooking and waiting in
Covers, one of the student run restaurants. All wear attractive
uniforms and name badges, as they would in a quality hotel, and
with a diverse range of nationalities represented, the campus has
a very cosmopolitan atmosphere.
Courses
The BMIHMS is a member of the Leading Hotel Management Schools
of the World with affiliated schools located in Switzerland, Greece
and New Zealand. (Courses are presented in association with the
International Hotel and Tourism Training Institute, Neuchatel, Switzerland.
(IHTTI))
Based on the Swiss ‘three pillars of learning’ model,
practical skills, theoretical knowledge and personal development,
the curriculum is designed to provide students with a thorough knowledge
of all aspects of hotel management.
Management skills, leadership, practical knowledge, a high degree
of self discipline and a positive attitude are the underlying principles
of the School philosophy.
Advanced Diploma course
This is a two and a half year course. Students graduate with a
BMIHMS Advanced Diploma in Hotel Management as well as a Swiss Diploma
in Hotel Management from the IHTTI.
Subjects studied include financial management, marketing and tourism,
behavioral science, food and beverage systems, rooms division management
and professional development.
As part of the course, all students ‘earn and learn’,
undertaking two periods of six months each in an industry placements,
working at leading hotels and resorts throughout Australia as well
as overseas, gaining experience, making contacts and earning wages.
The course is open to anyone 18 years or over; mature age students
welcome. Overseas students with English as a second language must
attain a knowledge of the language to an IELTS equivalent level
of 6.0 or TOEFL of 550. Arrangements can be made for entry into
selected language courses prior to enrolment at the BMIHMS.
Degree Extension
The BMIHMS also has articulation agreements with reputable universities
both within Australia and internationally, such as the University
of Bournemouth, UK, whereby students can graduate with a Bachelor
of Arts in Hospitality Management. These degree extensions range
from six months further study on campus to approximately one year
studied externally.
Post graduate courses:
Graduate Diploma in Hotel Management
Open to students with a degree in any discipline, this 18-month
course provides the educational path for individuals to upgrade
their qualifications and aims to advance skills, knowledge and professional
attitudes to enable graduates to proceed to higher levels in hotel
management.
Students are required to live in on campus during the first semester,
studying operational skills in food and beverage, front office management
and housekeeping. This is followed by paid placement in a recognised
hotel in Australia or overseas, during which time students commence
two of the System Units by distance learning.
Students have access to a comprehensive learning package of texts
and computer discs and have on-going support from lecturers.
The BMIHMS has two student intakes each year - February and July.
This article first appeared in TransWorld Education
