Hospitality - Hotel and Restaurant Operations Management at Algonquin College

Join a growing industry and gain opportunities worldwide.

The two-year Hospitality - Hotel and Restaurant Operations Management Ontario College Diploma program provides you with specialized managerial skills for the hospitality and tourism industry through a mixture of theory and hands-on classes delivered by industry professionals.

Learn about:

• hotel and restaurant operations
• management skills
• computer applications in hospitality and tourism
• financial management
• marketing

The first year of the program provides introductory industry and business courses to help prepare you for entry-level positions. The second year focuses on developing management skills to help solidify long-term career success in the hospitality and tourism industry.

Experience a variety of restaurant operations-related roles in Restaurant International, Algonquin College`s student-operated restaurant and teaching facility. Some of these classes happen during the evening and weekends, to prepare you for the variety of shift work in the industry. Before graduation, you will have completed a minimum 500 hours of practical industry work experience.

Students who graduate from this program with a minimum of a B average can further their education by bridging into year three of the Bachelor of Hospitality and Tourism Management (Honours) degree program, after completing four bridging courses offered at Algonquin College.

There are a growing number of job opportunities - available both locally and globally - in this dynamic industry. Graduates may find employment in:

• the food and beverage industry
• the accommodation sector
• tourism services
• sales and marketing
• transportation
• events and conferences

SUCCESS FACTORS

This program is well-suited for students who:

• Have good interpersonal skills and enjoy interacting with people.
• Are interested in a career in the hospitality business that is portable throughout the world.
• Seek variety in their daily work and rewarding opportunities and experiences.
• Are looking for career opportunities that allow flexibility to balance work and family life.

Careers

Graduates may find a wide range of employment opportunities in the global hospitality and tourism industry. Career opportunities may include front desk accommodation, guest service/housekeeping, sales and marketing, banquets, transportation, food and beverage, attractions, events and conferences, tourism services and golf clubs. After a few years of experience, graduates may pursue supervisory or management positions. Graduates may also pursue further academic endeavours.

Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. Support an industry and workplace service culture by adopting a positive attitude and professional decorum, accommodating diverse and special needs, and contributing as a team member.
2. Deliver customer service and solutions that anticipate, meet and/or exceed individual expectations, as well as organizational expectations, standards and objectives.
3. Use marketing concepts, market research, social networks, sales and revenue management strategies, relationship management skills and product knowledge to promote and sell hospitality services, products and guest experiences.
4. Apply business and revenue models as well as basic accounting, budgeting, financial and administration skills to support the effective management and operation of a variety of organizations delivering hospitality services and products.
5. Comply with relevant organization and workplace systems, processes, policies, standards, legal obligations and regulations, and apply risk management principles, to support and maintain efficient, safe, secure, accessible and healthy hospitality operations.
6. Use appropriate technologies to enhance the quality and delivery of hospitality services, products and guest experiences and to measure the effectiveness of hospitality operations.
7. Keep current with hospitality trends and issues, and interdependent relationships in the broader tourism industry* sectors to improve work performance and guide career development.
8. Use leadership, teamwork, conflict and relationship management skills and tools, as well as knowledge of organizational behaviour, labour relations, employment standards and human rights to contribute to a positive work environment.
9. Respond to issues and dilemmas arising in the delivery of hospitality services, products and guest experiences by using and promoting ethical behaviour and best practices of corporate social responsibility and environmental sustainability.
10. Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

Program Eligibility

• English, Grade 12 (ENG4C or equivalent).
• Mathematics, Grade 11 (MBF3C or equivalent).
• Applicants with international transcripts must provide proof of the subject specific requirements noted above and may be required to provide proof of language proficiency. Domestic applicants with international transcripts must be evaluated through the International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS) or World Education Services (WES).
• IELTS-International English Language Testing Service (Academic) Overall band of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band; OR TOEFL-Internet-based (iBT)-overall 80, with a minimum of 20 in each component: Reading 20; Listening 20; Speaking 20; Writing 20.

Should the number of qualified applicants exceed the number of available places, applicants are selected on the basis of their proficiency in English and mathematics.