Hospitality Skills

Program Overview

The Hospitality industry is growing fast – so fast that the industry is bracing for significant labour shortages. Thousands of jobs will be available across Canada for people with the right education, skills and attitude. From the front desk at a hotel or resort, to a food and beverage service position at a restaurant or club, or customer service positions in a wide variety of businesses, there will be many outstanding opportunities. If you enjoy travel, meeting new people, and have a passion for being a part of an industry that makes people happy, Hospitality Skills is a great place to start.

Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
Grade 12 English (C or U)

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Tuition

Year one domestic: $2,848 (CAD)
Year one international: $13,978 (CAD)

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Semester 1 Courses

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Food Service

Hospitality

Working with Others

Technology recommendations

To help students succeed in programs with remote learning requirements, Durham College’s IT Services department has identified minimum technology recommendations. While these are not program requirements, these suggestions will help ensure students have the right tools to support a quality remote learning experience.

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Intakes and Availability

Date	Domestic Availability	International Availability
January 2022	Open
May 2022	Open
September 2022	Open	Closed
January 2023	Open

Career Options

What you could be:

Customer service representative
Food and beverage server
Host or receptionist
Hospitality services attendant
Cruise ship attendant
Room attendant
Banquet server

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Program Details

The Hospitality Skills program will provide you with an introduction to the business of hotel, restaurant and tourism operations. Graduates will have the knowledge and expertise required for an entry-level position in the hospitality industry, and will have earned nationally recognized certifications in responsible alcohol service, and food safety. Experience is gained through hands-on practice and role-playing in the college’s labs. You will also refine your skills in customer service and communications and learn how to apply these skills to a variety of hospitality services including hotels, restaurants, resorts and catering companies.

You will learn how to:

Provide hospitality service in a professional manner in order to increase customer satisfaction
Identify and describe the various sectors of the Canadian tourism industry
Use basic calculations to assist with daily functions of a hospitality operation
Assist in development and implementation of a hospitality operation’s marketing plan and materials
Follow all relevant health and safety legislation and regulations
Plan and implement personal and professional development strategies related to the hospitality industry
Support daily functions of a hospitality operation using current technologies and computer applications
Perform duties of an entry-level accommodation operations team member
Explain theories of food and beverage service and perform basic service tasks

The Hospitality Skills program is offered at the Whitby campus, home of the college’s W. Galen Weston Centre for Food. This incredible learning environment provides access to state-of-the-art labs, classrooms and meeting spaces all designed to offer you the best possible learning experience.

Students in this program will benefit from working and learning in Bistro ’67, a full-service, green-certified teaching and learning restaurant operated by staff and students.

Qualified graduates of the Hospitality Skills certificate program may have the opportunity to continue their studies by completing a second year to obtain their diploma in Hospitality – Hotel and Restaurant Operations Management.

Program Learning Outcomes

Provide hospitality service in a professional manner in order to increase customer satisfaction.
Identify and describe the various sectors of the Canadian tourism industry.
Use basic mathematic and monetary calculations to assist with the daily functions of a hospitality operation.
Assist in the development of marketing materials and in the implementation of a marketing plan for a hospitality operation.
Perform all work in compliance with relevant health and safety legislation and regulations, as well as with the professional and ethical requirements of the hospitality industry.
Plan and implement personal and professional development strategies related to the hospitality industry.
Use current technologies, systems, and computer applications to support daily functions of a hospitality operation.
Perform as an entry-level accommodation operations team member in both front and back of the house positions.
Explain the theories of food and beverage service and perform basic service tasks.

Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
Grade 12 English (C or U)

Courses

The courses listed below are for incoming students. If you are a current student, please refer to your program of study for the year you began your program. Your program of study can be found on MyDC.

Semester 1

Semester 2

Courses and course descriptions are subject to change. Please note that as a result of COVID-19 the 2022-23 program of study may be modified to accommodate program delivery changes.

Costs

Career Options

What you could be:

Customer service representative
Food and beverage server
Host or receptionist
Hospitality services attendant
Cruise ship attendant
Room attendant
Banquet server

Where you could work:

Hotel
Restaurant
Conference centre
Resort
Golf course
Event or sporting venue
Cruise ship
Recreational services
Gaming organization or casino
Long term care facilities

Experiential Learning

On-campus activities

From student-focused special events, to employment in the W. Galen Weston Centre for Food’s restaurant, and helping with special projects, there are countless opportunities for students to further their learning beyond the labs.

Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials

Successful completion of the Hospitality Skills certificate program will provide opportunities for further study in additional Durham College programs such as Hospitality – Hotel and Restaurant Operations Management; Culinary Skills; Culinary Management; Entrepreneurship and Small Business – Business; Special Events Management; Marketing – Business; and Public Relations.
Durham College also offers degree completion opportunities with a number of Canadian and international institutions.

Please visit our pathways page to learn more about how you can transfer your credits towards a degree.

Technology Recommendations

To help students have the best remote learning experience possible, Durham College’s IT Services department has identified technology recommendations for each program based on course needs and software requirements. While not required, students may want to consider these suggestions if they are purchasing a computer or laptop for the upcoming academic year.

Processor: i3
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 256GB SSD
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Professional or Education x64 SP1
Internet Browser: Internet Explorer 11 or Google Chrome (newest version) or Firefox (newest version)
Network Adapter: 802.11ac 2.4/5 GHz wireless adapter
Camera: Webcam/built-in camera
Internet connection

Questions regarding technology recommendations can be directed to the IT Service Desk or the school office.

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International Students

T: 905.721.2000 ext. 7697

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Helpful Resources

What's Trending at DC

Many of the photos on this website were taken prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Program Overview

Admission Requirements

Tuition

Semester 1 Courses

Technology recommendations

Intakes and Availability

Career Options

What you could be:

Program Details

Program Learning Outcomes

Admission Requirements

Courses

Semester 1

Semester 2

Costs

Career Options

What you could be:

Where you could work:

Experiential Learning

On-campus activities

Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials

Technology Recommendations

Hospitality Skills in the news

Helpful Resources

Have a Question? Attend a Program Information Webinar

Financial Aid Information

Graduate Employment Report [PDF]

What's Trending at DC

Have a Question?
Attend a Program Information Webinar