| With the new tourist season approaching, the Anguilla Community College has initiated a Food & Beverage Leadership Course aimed at Restaurant Managers, Food & Beverage Supervisors and Department Heads. |
The one-week course from Monday to Friday, October 10-14, was facilitated by Dr. Joseph West, Former Dean and Professor in the Hospitality Division at Florida International University in Miami. The rationale for the training was that in too many instances persons assume managerial positions on their above-average technical competencies, and may not have the requisite leadership skills that support effective Foods & Beverage departments. The training session complemented those technical skills while developing and enhancing the leadership capabilities of Food & Beverage personnel.
The course was also designed to explain the importance of leadership values such as learning, vision, empowerment, communication, respect and motivation. By the end of the training, participants were expected to distinguish between the terms of management and leadership; arrive at the leadership qualities of a food and beverage manager/supervisor; understand the importance of leadership values; and inspire co-workers to perform at their best.
President of the Community College, Professor Delroy Louden, commented on training for the hospitality workers. “I think this is an important course for them and Dr. West has come and kindly given of his time,” he told The Anguillian. “We want to build on this course, so we want to think of an articulation agreement so that as these students take these courses they can build-up their studies cumulatively, get associate degrees, diplomas and certificates and develop careers in the hospitality industry. It is important for us to have very qualified and competent young men and young women to welcome our visitors to this island.” Director of Hospitality Studies, Sharon Richardson, said: “I believe it is an excellent opportunity to enhance the participants’ leadership skills. They already have the technical competence and now we want to complement that with some leadership ability. I am sure that it will be a very valuable experience for them and for their hospitality practice. We are hoping that the leadership skills will help them and translate into bigger and better things at their various properties.”
Dr. West was pleased with the ready and active participation of the trainees and their recognition that the basis of the hospitality industry was to enjoy being with people. He went on: “My approach is that leadership is universal. The principles of leadership and the behaviour of effective leaders are the same throughout the world, so leadership transfers and translates throughout the world and all the different industries. “At Florida International University, leadership is the last course that the students take in the undergraduate programme. There is a demand for people who possess good leadership skills whether it is the Supervisor who is in charge of the dining room, the General Manager or the political leader. Among the needs of the world are effective leaders.” Asked about the how the participants responded to the training, Dr. West replied: “We have had a good responsiveness and a lot of inter-action and, believe me, they enjoyed speaking their mind.” |
