ITI Articles

Heritage Hotel Management and New Zealand Management Academies have begun a trainee programme for hospitality diploma students. From the end of this year, selected diploma students will have the opportunity to become hotel trainees for the two years of their course.

The initiative was forged by Jenny Cameron, Director of Human Resources Heritage Hotel Management and Sarah Allan, Human Resources Manager of Heritage Auckland, with NZMA Employment Advisor Tom Newstead.

Student trainees will be placed for three to six month periods in different Heritage Auckland or CityLife Auckland hotel departments - for example, the hotel kitchen or housekeeping. Students will then have an opportunity to later specialise in the department they are most interested in.

“We are delighted to be able to assist students to experience an international standard hotel work environment whilst completing their studies. All parties can only benefit from the scheme", says Jenny Cameron, Human Resources Director Heritage Hotel Management.

NZMA, which teaches over 750 students in hospitality related courses per annum, is also excited by the practical learning possibilities for their students on the scheme.

“Having one of Auckland’s largest hotel chains on board with this programme is a fantastic opportunity for our students. They get paid work while they learn, and have a known pathway to follow. We hope that this model will become a standard for the industry; it is essentially an apprenticeship for hospitality,” says Tom Newstead.

Heritage Hotel Management operates Heritage Hotels in Auckland, Mangatawhiri, Rotorua, Nelson, Hanmer Springs, Christchurch and Queenstown, plus CityLife Hotels in Auckland and Wellington.