Housekeeping? A Career!!!
Housekeeping? A career!
Early 2015, a housekeeping panel discussion took place at Doncaster College University Centre to change students’ perception on careers in housekeeping. All 40 seats were taken and the students studying hospitality, tourism and business engaged in the panel discussion chaired by Christoph Hoffmann, Quality Assurance and Health & Safety Director for Omni Facilities Management Ltd.. The panel consisted of Amanda Gleadall, Curriculum Manager at Doncaster College University Centre, Angela Jaquiss, Lecturer Stratford-upon-Avon College, National Secretary of the UK Housekeepers Association and Treasurer Midlands W & SW, Jean Roberts, retired Head Housekeeper of Hotel Du Vin Harrogate and York, 2008 Catey Awards Winner, previous chairwoman of the Yorkshire Housekeeping Association and previous deputy chair of the UK Housekeepers Association, Joanne Cutt, General Manager, Holiday Inn Express Doncaster, Sam Coulstock, Business Relations Manager & Head of Special Projects, Springboard, and Priscilla Ladha, Director Omni Facilities Management, Procurement UKHA London & South East.
After introducing themselves and providing an overview of their career history, the panel members highlighted their personal view on hotel housekeeping and explained how housekeeping has changed since they started their careers. The key message to the students was that housekeeping is the heart of a hotel. Students learned about the key skills and knowledge today’s housekeepers need to bring to the table in order to have a successful career. It became clear that people management, organisational skills and eye for detail are very important when running the biggest (and most important) department in a hotel.
All panel members were very passionate about highlighting the great career opportunities available to students; it was highlighted that doing work experience in a housekeeping operation can add real value to students and help them to make a career decision. The panel discussion closed with questions from the audience. The students’ feedback was very positive as they felt that they learned a lot; some are actually now considering a career in the housekeeping.
hsk-knowledge.com is pleased to share the video of the panel disucssion with housekeeping professionals worldwide. Please watch the video and join the discussion.