“This program can provide a necessary resource to provide workers in areas that are difficult to find, such as housekeeping, kitchen, restaurant, laundry, as well as banquets."
Students from across Oklahoma participated in HospitAbilities Fall Certification Day to show they are ready to enter the workforce.
Over 100 students from nine schools came to Francis Tuttle Technology Center, where they completed hands-on tests to earn certification for the hospitality industry. Representatives from the Oklahoma Restaurant Association (ORA) and the Oklahoma Hotel and Lodging Association (OHLA) served as judges.
“Judging at HospitAbilities Certification Day is always a highlight of my year,” Tammy McDaniel, Director of Sales and Marketing at Embassy Suites Oklahoma City Northwest, said. “The students are always polite and friendly and have a genuine desire to do well on the certification section.”
HospitAbilities is a certification for Service Careers students that displays their readiness for a job. It was developed by Francis Tuttle Service Careers Instructor Kari Bailey in cooperation with ORA and OHLA, so it is recognized by the hospitality industry in Oklahoma.
To earn their certification, students complete job tasks at various stations, such as table setting, laundry folding, vacuuming, silverware rolling, taking inventory, and dish washing. Danny Hernandez, who is in her second year of the Service Careers program at Francis Tuttle, said HospitAbilities makes her feel ready for a future job.
“It makes me feel more prepared for a job,” she said. “The judges come from restaurants, bakeries, and stores, so they might call later and say, ‘We like her. Can we schedule an interview?’”
Certification Day can also lead to networking opportunities for students. HospitAbilities came along at the right time for the industry, as hospitality needs workers.
“This program can provide a necessary resource to provide workers in areas that are difficult to find, such as housekeeping, kitchen, restaurant, laundry, as well as banquets,” McDaniel said. “I feel we can do a better job of telling the story of HospitAbilities to the industry as a whole and the resource and value these trained students can add to their business.”
Judges completed 480 evaluations. Participants who passed seven job task evaluations received their HospitAbilities certification and are now considered job-ready.