A hospitality training programme focused on major events is
being introduced to ensure New Zealand has enough trained staff to
provide top service to all those enjoying Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC
2011) matches next year.
"We want to show that New Zealand can deliver great
Rugby, great times and great hospitality to meet the high
expectations of visitors and locals," said Martin Snedden, CEO
for Tournament Organiser, Rugby New Zealand 2011 (RNZ 2011) at
today's launch of EventStarNZ©.
EventStarNZ© is New Zealand's first specialist training
programme to provide a certified training programme specific to the
food service sector at major events.
It has been developed by the Hospitality Standards Institute
(HSI) and the RWC 2011 Hospitality Steering Group to prepare the
industry for the Tournament and beyond.
Some 10,000 to 15,000 staff will be needed to serve the 1.7
million fans who are expected to attend 48 matches over 45 days in
13 stadia across New Zealand next year for RWC 2011 - the biggest
hospitality event ever hosted here and one of the world's top
five sporting events.
"We were conscious that RWC 2011 would create an
unprecedented demand for well trained service staff familiar with
the requirements of a major event so we needed to respond to ensure
the sector was match-fit by Tournament time," said HSI CEO
Steve Hanrahan.
"EventStarNZ© aims to make sure we have skilled food
service staff delivering high standard hospitality during RWC 2011
and beyond that, to other large events hosted by New Zealand in the
future."
EventStarNZ© will provide a range of intensive training
courses across six modules, from half day to two days and will
incorporate KiaOraMai - the customer service training programme
launched last year.
Kitchen, retail and bar
Participants will be trained in a range of venue areas
including hospitality, kitchen, retail and bar. Courses will be
delivered via workplaces, polytechnics and institutes of technology
from May.
"It will mean graduates will be able to work with
confidence and provide excellent service whether it's for VIP
boxes, pre-match dinners, corporate hospitality or retail
areas," said Steve Hanrahan.
EventStarNZ© is a tribute to the collective will of the
industry to raise service standards. "It's been a real
team effort with key players in hospitality, education and stadia
working together to find a way to lift standards and grow the pool
of skilled workers.
"It's always been difficult to recruit, train and
importantly to retain workers and I believe now we have a solution
that will make a lasting difference."
The work was initiated by RNZ 2011. CEO Martin Snedden said
EventStarNZ© was another key part of the massive effort needed to
get New Zealand ready in 2011.
Equipping with the right skills
"The Tournament is a wonderful platform to showcase New
Zealand to the world so it's important we do all we can to be
great hosts to the many visitors coming. I am sure EventstarNZ©
will equip graduates with the right skills to provide top service
and the best Kiwi hospitality.
"We need to get it right if we are to reap the
tremendous economic benefits the Tournament will generate. "
RWC 2011 is expected to attract 60,000 overseas visitors and pump
more than NZD $500 million into the New Zealand economy. The
overall economic impact is estimated at NZD $1.15 billion.
Martin Snedden said EventStarNZ© would contribute to the
valuable legacy of RWC 2011. "It will raise skill levels and
provide a stepping stone to a rewarding career in the hospitality
industry.
"It's also a great chance for people to have a
starring role in this once in a lifetime Tournament."
HSI said it expected that graduates of EventStarNZ© training
would have a definite advantage when the recruitment drive for
stadia hospitality teams gains momentum.
"It will give graduates a head start when applying for
jobs at venues before that so we are hoping they come to RWC 2011
with some good experience which will help them provide a
consistently high standard of service," said Steve Hanrahan.
NOTES
About Rugby New Zealand 2011 Ltd: Rugby New
Zealand (RNZ) 2011 Ltd was established in June 2006 and is the
organisation responsible for the planning and delivery of Rugby
World Cup (RWC) 2011 in New Zealand on behalf of its shareholders,
the New Zealand Rugby Union and the New Zealand Government. RNZ
2011 Ltd is governed by a Board of Directors which is chaired by
current NZRU Chairman Jock Hobbs. The New Zealand Rugby Union was
selected as the Host Union for RWC 2011 by the International Rugby
Board Council in November 2005. For the latest on planning for
Rugby World Cup 2011 visit
www.rugbyworldcup.com
About IRB Rugby World Cup: The IRB Rugby World Cup
is the third largest sports event in the world. The inaugural
Tournament took place in 1987 and it is held every four years. In
2007 the sixth tournament was held in France and enjoyed a
cumulative worldwide broadcast audience of more than 4 billion. For
the latest on RWC 2011 visit
www.rugbyworldcup.com
About HSI: As the hospitality industry's
training organisation (ITO), HSI leads access to training and
qualifications for the hospitality industry, including overseeing,
supervising, assisting and reviewing all nationally recognised
training for chefs, waiters, baristas, bar persons, porters, hotel
receptionists, room-attendants, house-keepers, supervisors and
managers. HSI also provides support and guidance to schools,
polytechnics and providers that teach and assess Unit Standards
through hospitality courses. For more information, please visit
www.hsi.co.nz.
About EventStarNZ©: EventStarNZ© is a certificated
hospitality training programme specific to events and the food
service sector, developed branded and owned by HSI, and delivered
via workplaces and polytechnics.
About RWC 2011 Hospitality Steering Group: RWC
Hospitality Steering Group is a working group established by RNZ
2011 in 2008 including HSI, Institutes of Technology &
Polytechnics, Caterers (Spotless NZ, Compass Group, Ruth Pretty
Catering, Vbase, Continental Catering, Montana Catering), RWC
venues, Rugby Travel and Hospitality (RTH11), International
Management Group (IMG).
