Several hotels in Hong Kong offer management trainee programmes. However, the Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, is unique in having created a specific programme for young graduates whose passion is food and beverage (F&B).
The 18-month programme takes candidates on a journey through three of the hotel's F&B outlets and operations, requiring increasing levels of responsibility, and including a training programme tailored to their interests and competence.
'This training programme has given me a chance to move around various departments that have a strong connection with banquet operation, such as the stewarding team, the kitchen, and catering sales,' says management trainee Koey Tsoi, who has been in the programme for 10 months. 'When I go back to the banquet operation, I can communicate with them more effectively as I understand the logistics and difficulties of each department.'
In addition to on-the-job coaching, a wide range of in-house training programmes - from food hygiene and customer service to supervisory development and 'train the trainer' - prepare trainees for the next step.
Each trainee is allocated a mentor and is assigned a special F&B project to work on. They are also required to give a presentation on their project by the end of the programme.
After a year of successful traineeship, they are then enrolled in an online programme run by New York-based Cornell University that can lead to an e-Cornell diploma. After their stint, they also receive a Mandarin Oriental Management Training Programme certificate.
'Trainees are expected to take up a supervisory or managerial role in one of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group's properties. They might be transferred to other countries, which will help them build up their knowledge of managing businesses in other cities, and learn about different cultures,' says Jenny Chan, HR director, Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong.