A new convention centre and hotel run by the Hilton chain proposed for Wellington is a welcome addition to Wellington says Linda Sissons Chief Executive, Wellington Institute of Technology (WelTec). “The Hilton has relationships with local tertiary education providers in its locations worldwide and is a great strategic business fit with what we do. Our programmes are an excellent match for the Hilton’s staffing and ongoing training requirements. Jobs for our graduates and economic growth to support this are key to our success and this is what a new Convention Centre for the Capital City run by Hilton Hotels will add to Wellington’s hospitality and tourism sector,” she says.
WelTec has the largest hospitality tertiary training school in New Zealand co-located on a campus with Le Cordon Bleu New Zealand within a short walk of the proposed Convention Centre. Le Cordon Bleu New Zealand opened in late 2012 and chose to physically site itself in the same building as the Wellington Institute of Technology’s School of Hospitality to provide a significant campus for students and to create a centre of excellence for culinary education in the heart of the city. “WelTec prepares students for all facets of the hospitality and tourism industry,” added Sissons. “The Hilton employs the staff that we train from sales and marketing, to finance and accounting, HR to all the front of house, catering and hotel management staff required to run a busy and successful hospitality and tourism operation. We understand from our conversations with the Hilton that they are very committed to training and upskilling their workforce with a promotion and growth focus to their workforce development. The proposal has the hallmarks of success from our perspective of being New Zealand’s premier hospitality training provider.”
WelTec provides practical hands-on training in all areas of the hospitality industry – from barista training, cookery, food and beverage courses, to hotel reception, hotel management, tourism and event management. “Our Graduate Diploma in Event Management students will potentially have even more opportunities to test their skills, undertake project work and seek employment with the Hilton and the Convention Centre.”
“WelTec and Le Cordon Bleu NZ have a key focus on recruiting international students to study in Wellington. The Hilton will be a major draw card for these students. We would look to develop a Memorandum of Understanding with the Hilton which could be jointly used as a marketing tool to attract international students,” Sissons concludes.
