Skills and Competencies Today and Tomorrow

-- A report on the “César Ritz” Colleges Switzerland Hong Kong Hospitality and Alumni Event, 12 August 2010

Maintaining professional and ethical standards was identified as being one of the key competencies required by hospitality managers in order to succeed in today’s industry. This insight into the challenges within the hospitality industry was revealed at the “César Ritz” Colleges Switzerland Hong Kong Hospitality and Alumni Reunion held at the Hyatt Regency in Hong Kong, following research carried out by Mr. Charles Hains, “César Ritz” Colleges Director of Teaching and Learning.

From left to right: Mr. Evan Chiu (César Ritz Alumni Hong Kong Chapter President, General Manager of Metropark Hotel Wanchai Hong Kong), Mr. Xavier Pech (General Manager of Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui) and Mr. Daniel Gutzwiller (Director of the University Centre “César Ritz”)

Training the Hospitality Managers of Tomorrow

Mr Hains presented the findings at the event where many senior managers from the hospitality industry were gathered. While the results of the extensive survey conducted by “César Ritz” Colleges came as little surprise to those gathered, they reinforced the fact that skills and competencies required by today’s managers have changed little from those required ten years ago: adaptability, embracing and managing change, people management, cultural diversity, strategic thinking, problem solving, multi tasking, and being customer focused. All also agreed that these skills and competencies will most likely change little in the next ten years!

Mr. Charles Hains (“César Ritz” Colleges Director of Teaching and Learning) is presenting the result of the survey.

According to Mr Hains, the purpose of the survey was to “help with the strategic development of the degree and master programmes at “César Ritz” Colleges in order for the College to move in the right direction to train hospitality managers of tomorrow”. The survey results were most pleasing in that they also provided a validation that many of the skills and competencies required of managers today and tomorrow were already embedded in the current academic and leadership programmes of “César Ritz” Colleges. The research also showed that the number of new employees needed in the industry is growing annually. “One general manager told us”, said Charles Hains, “that his chain will be recruiting 50,000 new staff in China alone in the next five years”. For the graduates of “César Ritz” Colleges, this certainly comes as good news.

Alumni Praise the Skills Gained at “César Ritz” Colleges

During the event reception, Daniel Gutzwiller, the Director of the University Centre “César Ritz” in charge of Alumni and Career Services, Placements and Industry Relations, welcomed back many “César Ritz” Colleges alumni, all of whom praised the College for the skills acquired which prepared them for their journey into hospitality management and other closely related industries.

Mr. James Lu (second from the left), executive director of Hong Kong Hotels Association and “César Ritz” Colleges representatives

“César Ritz” Colleges also took the opportunity to make several prestigious awards to hotels in Hong Kong viewed as outstanding employers. Receiving the awards were the Hyatt Regency, The Excelsior, The Upper House and the JW Marriot. A special award was also given to James Lu, the Executive Director of the Hong Kong Hotels Association for his services to the industry. James was asked to draw the ticket for a free trip to Switzerland from those who took part in the survey and Wendy Liu, Assistant Front Office Manager of the Grand Hyatt, Shenzhen, was the lucky prize winner!

Congratulations to Evan Chiu who was inaugurated as the new president of the “César Ritz” Hong Kong Chapter. All in all, the evening was a great success and a special thanks to all those who attended including the following record number of “César Ritz” Colleges staff members.