The Center for Workforce Development and Middle College at Skyline College partnered to offer an “Excellence in Service” college course by Andrea Vizenor, Director of Career and Workforce Programs. She provided a series of workshops focused on workforce readiness skill elements and customer service strategies. Middle College students learned the necessary skills to deliver superior customer service such as how to handle dissatisfied customers and how to deliver service recovery techniques.
By completing the course, students earned the “Certified Guest Service Professional Industry Certification” awarded by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI), the preeminent industry leader in hospitality certification. Professional certification from the AHLEI is the ultimate distinction of professional excellence for the hospitality industry. Recognized worldwide, it strongly supports and encourages the certification of hospitality professionals and workforce readiness development of its graduates. Middle College students are now able to give exceptional service by engaging with guests and creating memorable experiences. This workshop was a huge success: Students gained customer service skills and how to use them effectively in different jobs. One Middle College student who wo
rks at a local mall exclaimed, “My customer service and sales are going to be great!”
Article by Andrea Vizenor and Dr. Raymond Jones
