Lodging & Hospitality Management Certificate

Explore the exciting world of hospitality & lodging management in a one-year certificate at Blackhawk Technical College, Janesville, Wisconsin. The employment opportunities are diverse and varied and may fit your interests, skills and personality traits. Contact Blackhawk Technical College to learn more about local hospitality related educational opportunities.

Hospitality related careers include managing food & beverage services, marketing & sales, human resources, housekeeping, uniformed services, security, front office, accounting & financial management, property management, and facilities maintenance & environmental engineering. Blackhawk Technical College is a member of the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute.

Lodging managers are responsible for keeping their establishments running efficiently and profitably. They help ensure guests have a pleasant stay and also support business travelers with needed services such as meeting rooms and electronic equipment. Larger hotels hire hundreds of workers and the role of supervision and training are core competencies for management positions in larger properties. Accounting, computer and broad business skills along with a high level of customer service and interpersonal abilities are all critical to success in this occupation. Written and oral communication skills and a desire to work with people are needed to enter this field. Industry certifications are available to students employed in this field and this Blackhawk Technical College certificate provides entry-level skills that can lead to future related certifications.

Occupational Analysis:

Lodging management related positions are expected to grow at a rate of 17% through 2014. These projected job openings include net replacement and new job openings due to growth.

Hotels increasingly emphasize specialized training for their employees. Postsecondary training in hotel, restaurant, or hospitality management is preferred for most hotel management positions; however, a college liberal arts degree may be sufficient when coupled with related hotel experience or business education. Internships, part-time or summer work experience in a hotel are an asset to students seeking a career in hotel management. The experience gained and the contacts made with employers can greatly benefit students after graduation. Most degree programs include work-study opportunities.

Other colleges, and many universities, offer certificate or degree programs in hotel, restaurant, or hospitality management leading to an associate, bachelor, or graduate degree. Technical institutes, vocational and trade schools, and other academic institutions also offer courses leading to formal recognition in hospitality management. In total, more than 800 educational facilities provide academic training related to employment as lodging managers. Hotel management programs include instruction in hotel administration, accounting, economics, marketing, housekeeping, food service management and catering, and hotel maintenance engineering. Computer training also is an integral part of hotel management training, due to the widespread use of computers in reservations, billing, and housekeeping management.

Wage & Earnings Estimates (2006):

• United States: $25,100 to $82,500 with a median of $42,300 ($20.35 per hour)
• Wisconsin: $27,100 to $75,200 with a median of $39,800 ($19.14 per hour)

Core Career Success Competency Areas:

• Sales & Marketing
• Personnel and Human Resources
• Speaking, active listening,
• Critical thinking & problem solving
• Reading comprehension
• Social perceptiveness