Background Information on the Hospitality Industry

Background Information on the Hospitality Industry

The Food and Hospitality Industry has become one of the biggest

employers in our state. It now has attained a much higher

status in society and demands high standards of work from

its employees. Employment opportunities are many, but

eagerly sought by a vast majority of people. For this reason

as in any other established business, interviews are

conducted. Through these interviews, the interviewer looks

for personal qualities and interpersonal skills in a

prospective employee to fulfill the job requirements. One of

the most important things that an employer looks for are

personal qualities. These consist of: a keen attitude, a

friendly disposition, neat appearance, a willingness to work,

confidence, cleanliness, personal hygiene, deportment

(efficient) and honesty, among the many others.

Interpersonal skills basically include the ability to interact

with people and using initiative to deal with problems which

may arise if the customer is not satisfied. If interpersonal

and personal skills are exercised then they will greatly

contribute to a happy and successfully working

environment. This can be accomplished by remembering to

keep in mind the fundamental aspect of any catering

establishment which is to "Always acknowledge that the

customers are the most important people in the business,

and nothing is more important than serving them." - An

introduction to catering. Due to the fact that a large amount

of job satisfaction can be found in the food and hospitality

industry, jobs are very often sought after. Many who wish

to enter the industry usually do so by gaining a

apprenticeship . Apprenticeships in the hospitality industry

usually last between 2.5 years to 4 years. These

apprenticeships mainly consist of ‘on the job training’,

combined with full time practical work experience, along

with future training at TAFE. Apprenticeships are usually

categorized into : bread making and baking, butchering and

small goods making, cooking , pastry cooking and waiting.

To gain a apprenticeship today in South Australia a person

needs to be at least 15 years old. Also the applicant is

required to have at least reached year 10, and to have a

good grounding in basic mathematics. Apprenticeships are

administered by the state government and before applying

for one it is recommended that one registers their interest

with a job centre. When a employer takes on a apprentice,

there is a probationary period of three months before the

contract is signed, this ensures that the employer will permit

the apprentice to take time off to attend classes. Many

people belief that apprenticeships and traineeships are the

same, however the two do differ some what, for example:

The Federal Government have administed traineeships,

which last for a minimum of a year, and consists of 13