The Chase High School graduates are Miguel Jimenez, Bryan Perez and Braxton Bright.

Eighteen students completed the new Isothermal Hospitality and Tourism Institute recently. The graduates include students from Chase, Polk, and R-S Central High Schools.

Part of the class includes certification in Guest Service Gold through the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute. The students are now prepared to start careers in the growing hospitality and lodging industry. Several have already begun work at area properties.

Three sessions were recently held. One was at the Isothermal Polk Center in Columbus. The other two were designed for students at R-S Central and Chase High Schools. The instructors include Beth Hartle, Karen Marshall, Judy Heinrich and Lisa Courtney.

New classes of the Isothermal Hospitality and Tourism Institute run throughout the winter and spring but will begin on Monday, Jan. 25.

The program offers 52 hours of training over six weeks and once complete the student will have two certificates to present when applying for jobs. Classes are available at Rutherford and Polk locations. The new class will be held during a combination of times on evenings and Saturdays to accommodate people who work on weekdays.

The hospitality industry employs people with a broad range of skills and interests and positions range from food services and guest services to facility maintenance to housekeeping and security. The program was developed with input from a hospitality advisory committee, which includes members who have worked in the industry for many years.

The first part of the institute is “Pathways to Hospitality.” This eight-hour section takes students through a personal self-exploration process and an occupation exploration, laying the foundation to a successful career decision and occupation preparation path.

The next 24 hours of the institute is “Hospitality Soft Skills” where students receive soft skills training including how to deal with conflict, customer service, working as a team, communication skills, being professional and having a good attitude. It also includes role-playing exercises with members of the hospitality industry.

The next four hours of the class is called “Guest Services Gold” and students learn the seven elements of exemplary guest service. Successful completion of this course will earn the student a Guest Service Gold certification issued by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute.

The last 16 hours are “Preparing for the Job Search.” Students work through activities to identify their skills and abilities, culminating in the development of a professional resume. Strategies for conducting an organized and successful job search, including networking, will also be explored.

Students who complete the program will earn a Hospitality and Tourism Institute Certificate from Isothermal. The Institute is endorsed by Lake Lure Inn & Spa, Chimney Rock State Park, Bright’s Creek Golf and Sporting Club, the Tryon International Equestrian Center and Rumbling Bald Resort on Lake Lure.

For more information contact coordinator Beth Hartle at 828-395-4294 or bhartle@isothermal.edu; Karen Marshall at 828-395-1408 or kmarshall@isothermal.edu; or Mark Franklin at 828-395-1677 or mfranklin@isothermal.edu. Space is limited. Financial assistance is available.

-Submitted by Mike Gavin