ITI Articles

Pizza Hut is proving to be an excellent career pathway for many of NZMA’s diploma graduates. Owned by Restaurant Brands (which also has KFC and Starbucks), the popular fast food chain has excellent training and development opportunities for those looking to move into managerial positions within the hospitality industry.
Sujan Kumar Kotha, the first NZMA graduate to be employed by the company, is now Acting Manager at the Browns Bay outlet. He has also recently gained his Permanent Residency.
“I started working at Pizza Hut part-time just after I started my hospitality diploma studies at NZMA,” says the 28 year old, who came from Hyderabad, India to Auckland in February 2002. He already had a Bachelor of Arts Degree under his belt from his home country.

“I wanted to get a good part-time job within the industry. I applied for hotels and other fast food chains but they all rejected me because I didn’t have any New Zealand experience. With Pizza Hut, which was near my home, I persevered. I went in every week and asked about work – finally on the third visit they suggested I come in for a trial shift!”

During his diploma studies Sujan worked 15 hours a week for the company as a Crew Member. Six months before the end of his NZMA course he started training to be a Shift Supervisor, a role that he took on full-time after he graduated. In the 18 months since leaving NZMA he has climbed the ranks, moving from Shift Supervisor to Assistant Manager to Acting Manager. He now has his sights set on becoming an outlet Manager.

“In order to progress in the company you have to undergo their training programmes, complete certain modules and be assessed by Head Office and so forth. Throughout my time there I’ve made the most of every activity and opportunity for training.”

Since Sujan joined Pizza Hut, many others have also followed in his footsteps.

“There are now between 15 and 20 diploma graduates from NZMA working full-time for the company throughout Auckland. Most of them are Indian and a couple of them are Chinese. Some are business diploma graduates, but most are hospitality diploma graduates and they’re all working their way up into managerial positions within the company. Five of us have got Permanent residency (PR) now and many others have got their work permits and are currently applying for PR status.”

According to Sujan the chances of getting a New Zealand work permit and eventually permanent residency are increased if you stay working for one company and prove to them that you are hard-working and loyal.

Sujan admits it’s not always as easy as it sounds.

“It’s hard sometimes fitting in work and study – but it’s worth it. Finally you achieve the fruits of your hard work and it’s a wonderful feeling. So don’t give up. When you get a chance be patient, be calm and stick with it.”