Customer service certification offered

The Hospitality and Tourism program recently introduced by Collins Career and Technical Center (CCTC) aims to offer local students the opportunity to prepare for careers in the hospitality and tourism industry.

“I think the demand is up for this type of program,” said Kara Price, hospitality and tourism program instructor at CCTC. “It’s a brand new program this year.”

The goal of the program is to provide local students with the skills to be successful employees in the hospitality and tourism industries, said Price.

“We’re excited about it,” said Price.

Students in the program will have the opportunity to visit local businesses and get a first-hand look at the industries that the program focuses students’ training upon.

High schools juniors and seniors participating in the program will learn about customer service, the hospitality and tourism industries and will learn about food and beverage service.

“They can get a customer service certification,” said Price. “Hotels are definitely going to be more inclined to hire someone with a customer service certification.”

A lab designed like a hotel room will give students in the program the opportunity to learn how to clean a hotel room.

“The plans are to teach students how to really clean,” she said.

There are currently 11 students involved in the program.

“I think so far they seem to love it,” said Price.