GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — If you have an interest in the hospitality industry or already work in the industry, the state is offering free training and certifications that would normally cost you $2,500.
Through the state budget, the Hospitality Training Institute of Michigan is offering this “Step Up” program to 2,000 Michiganders. The 12-week program meets six times in person and six times online and focuses on three aspects of hospitality: Safety, finances and earning the title of certified hospitality supervisor (CHS), which can then be added to your business card.
By successfully completing the program and earning the five different certifications you also earn $500.
This program is not just for people in hospitality.
Amanda Smith is the executive director for the Hospitality Training Institute of Michigan. She told 13 ON YOUR SIDE, “Individuals that have been working in hospitality for a long time but have never had the management criterium they needed to step up – hence the Step Up Program. We’ve serviced owners and operators that want to hone their skills. We’ve serviced individuals that are looking to make a career change or have always wanted to be in the restaurant industry.”
“The course is geared toward restaurant/hotel management, that sort of thing and I don’t do either of those, but I do work in hospitality, and I work with restaurants and hotels but even outside of that, the skills that they shared have been really valuable,” said Candice Smith, who started her business in 2018 offering tours across the Grand Rapids area and took part in the hospitality training earlier this year.
Sign up for the October session by clicking here.
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