Hospitality ITO gains new talent

MEDIA RELEASE
Date: 10 March 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Hospitality ITO gains new talent

The Chairperson of HSI today announced the appointment of two experienced hospitality leaders to the ITO’s Board, providing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the ongoing development of New Zealand’s hospitality training needs

Chairperson Carol Stigley said that Maryann Geddes of Skyline Enterprises and Craig Macfarlane of Macfarlanes Group would bring hands-on industry experience and new depth to the Board’s existing strong team.

“They will be a great boost to us in achieving HSI’s goals of developing and promoting work-based training qualifications,” she said. “We’re about growing talent in New Zealand hospitality and we welcome leaders from the sector who can help take us forward in that task.”

Mrs Geddes is Operations Manager for Skyline Enterprises Ltd – an organisation that invests heavily in staff training and was winner for the past two years of HSI’s Supreme Award for Excellence in Training and Innovation.

Mrs Geddes said that training was an integral function of Skyline’s business, beginning with the National Certificate in Customer Service during induction training, and carrying through a range of national certificates to management level, depending on employees’ career paths.

This experience enables her to contribute perspective across issues ranging from high-level management training through to front-end service, but particularly in supervisory management training.

“Maryann is a seasoned operator who’s very used to hiring and training staff, and is particularly strong in training and moderation,” Ms Stigley said.

“She was brought onto the Board for her personnel training experience, and her expertise will particularly help us to strengthen managerial training qualifications.”

Mr Macfarlane is the Board’s Food and Beverage representative, and runs Macfarlanes Group – a highly progressive hospitality company in Taranaki.

Through its locally-based businesses including Macfarlanes Caffe, Macfarlanes Catering & Events, Elixir Café, Arborio Restaurant and Bar, Daily News Café, Café Govett Brewster, Airspresso, Macfarlanes Espresso Bar and Ozone Coffee Company, Macfarlanes Group inspires its staff to be the best they can by focusing on quality and attention to detail.

Mr Macfarlane’s knowledge of small and medium business and regional issues will also help the Board to address key training needs for both groups throughout the country.

“Craig brings us an SME and entrepreneurial perspective and is very much committed to hospitality training,” Ms Stigley said.

“He’ll bring his own style and background to the role, and also represents the small/medium business sector that we’re keen to get closer to. We’re delighted that he’s from Taranaki and has a good understanding of both people management and Gen-Y,” Ms Stigley said.

HSI has a busy year ahead, with the Board aiming for stronger completion rates for the Modern Apprentice programme, expansion of its in-development catering qualification framework, strengthening qualifications for managerial training, and getting more training underway among SMEs. Ten positions have just been created to provide greater support for the SME sector throughout the country.

HSI’s Chief Executive, Steve Hanrahan, said the new Board members both demonstrated a strong commitment to training, and would provide further insight into industry trends including migrant labour and the effects of Government policy on labour supply.

“They bring a strong sense of stability and expertise that will help HSI to continue addressing training issues and needs across the industry’s sectors and throughout the country,” Mr Hanrahan said.

ends

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