Hospitality management education – The hospitality professions are in high demand in Quebec, across Canada and worldwide. They therefore open great opportunities for those who love to travel and experience life. To find out more, we talked to Jean-Thomas Henderson, a professor at the Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec (ITHQ) and at UQAM in hospitality management.
How much time does training in hospitality management take?
At the college level, technical training in hospitality management lasts three years. Each year ends with an internship here or abroad, depending on the year.
At the university level the bachelor program in hospitality and restaurant management is given jointly with UQAM. In addition, for ITHQ students, the DEC-Bac integrated path permits following college and first year university training in five years rather than six, to obtain a college diploma (DEC) from the Ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur, a Signature ITH diploma as well as a Bachelor degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management from UQAM.
What training sectors are offered by the school with respect to hospitality?
We offer three programs. In addition to the Bachelor mentioned above, the ITHQ offers the college level Signature program, titled International Hospitality Management, a program offered in a bilingual learning environment, and finally a diploma in Higher Studies in International Hospitality Management (HEGHI).
What trades does the school train in and in which sectors?
Our students have more and more interest in entrepreneurship. They take over a family restaurant, build an inn in the country. They work, of course, for big brands and chains, but not only. In fact, we train them to the highest standards in the industry so they can optimize their skills and choose the path they desire. Whether in a Relais & Chateaux or in a youth hostel, they will be equipped to make a difference! As well, many leave to work abroad.
What is the current state of the hospitality market in Quebec and Canada?
The market is excellent in Quebec and Canada. And it changed a lot in 2016. There were many acquisitions, notably those of Sheraton and Delta bought by the Marriott group. As an employee, if you are hired by Marriott today, the prospects for advancement is incredible. Students can work anywhere in the world, in establishments of all sizes and all categories. Abroad, Canada is seen as a safe country, which plays in our favour, particularly for holding congresses and conferences. In addition, we are currently at a crossroads, new technologies are penetrating the market and beginning to change the situation. For example, Marriott has launched its Snapchat and AccorHotels has purchased an online reservation platform for luxury homes.
What are the jobs most in demand?
At the operational level it’s housekeeping. Turnover is very high. And I’m not talking only about making the rooms, but supervising and directing this activity. However, it’s a fine job, but not valued enough. Night auditors are also very much in demand. Sales staff is also lacking.
What is the placement rate on completion of school?
It is close to 100% for our school and those who are not among these 100% are generally students who decide to go on to university. So it’s very encouraging.
In the longer term, what is your vision for the job market?
Certain establishments will continue to focus on the human, human contact and the importance of a smile. But others will favour automation, as some hotels already do. In Japan, at the “Henn-na Hotel” near Nagasaki, 70% of the staff are robots, looking after the rooms and driving the cars. Employee tasks are in the process of being redefined. Several hotels today use virtual reality. At the London Marriott, you can get married as if you were on a beach in Hawaii. At Orly Airport in Paris, holograms guide passengers to the boarding gate. One thing is for sure, technology must absolutely stay in its place. Although the human can do things better than the machine, the human must always take precedence.