By Philip Mwakio
The Kenya Utalii College has devised new teaching curriculum to cater for non-graduate hotel staff.
The move is aimed at instilling professionalism in hotel service delivery.
In an interview with the Job Centre in Mombasa, College Principal Dr Kenneth Obongi said a recent study found that most hotels at the Coast have huge numbers of untrained staff.
The study was conducted in May. “Hoteliers at the South Coast have gone over-drive to work with local communities by hiring untrained personnel from within their locations according to our report,” the Utalii boss said.
Dr Obongi said the study found that the untrained personnel have not done much to boost visitor numbers at hotels. This has led to low productivity in terms of services offered.
He added that even classified and star rated hotels lack professionally trained staff including barmen.
Dr Ombongi said that Utalii has come up with specific modules to train the unskilled staff. Trainees will go through a two-week rudimentary course in fields like food and beverage and general service to equip them with the necessary skills required.
“We have worked closely with the hotel industry and we have new refresher courses. Starting April, lower cadre staff like waiters, cooks have been trained.”