New Zealand's biggest scholarship programme launched by Hospitality Standards Institute

News article issued on behalf of the Hospitality Standards Institute

New Zealand's largest hospitality scholarship programme has been launched by the Hospitality Standards Institute of New Zealand. As a one-off special project scholarships totaling nearly $100,000 are being offered to committed hospitality personnel who are either entering the industry or are looking to develop and expand their existing career.

Covering five different categories - dependant on industry experience - the Hospitality Standards Institute's Career Scholarships programme is open to personnel across all sectors of the industry, including chefs, food and beverage staff, those working in the accommodation sector, teachers, tutors and Assessors. 

Proudly announcing the initiative, Hospitality Standards Institute chief executive Steve Hanrahan said the Career Scholarships programme reflected an enormous investment in developing the skill base of some 18 potential recipients.

"Often hospitality career professionals have the motivation and desire to take the next step in their chosen career, but are held back by a lack of financial support. It is the intention of the Career Scholarships programme to allow those ambitious dreams to be realised and the subsequent knowledge fed back into the industry to create far-reaching benefits," Mr Hanrahan said.

�This substantial commitment to New Zealand�s vibrant and enthusiastic hospitality industry is an commitment by the Hospitality Standards Institute in the future of our people.

The five Hospitality Standards Institute Career Scholarships categories are.....

�        Outward Bound Young Supervisor Scholarship.

Five scholarships of $3500 each, aimed at young supervisors or team leaders working in industry aged between 17 and 26-years-old. This scholarship will provide recipients with the opportunity to attend the well-known Outward Bound experience and thereby extend their leadership abilities, as well as develop their personal sense of confidence, motivation and teamwork. For worthiness consideration, applicants must demonstrate both an existing and an on-going commitment to their career in the hospitality industry.

�        Future Star Scholarship.

Two scholarships of $2500 each, aimed at Year 11/12 students still at school who wish to pursue a hospitality career. These scholarships can be used to fund tertiary training with an approved provider, or in an industry training programme such as a modern apprenticeship or traineeship. The selected training programme must lead to a NZQA registered qualification.

�        Hospitality Tutor/Assessor Scholarship.

Three scholarships of $7000 each, aimed at tutors, trainers, teachers and workplace assessors of hospitality personnel in a workplace or provider environment such as high school, polytechnic, or private training enterprise. Funding through this scholarship can be used by the recipient to pursue further education in their chosen hospitality field. The nominated education option may be in New Zealand or overseas - with the primary consideration being that the education or practical experiences will benefit not only the recipient, but also colleagues and peers in their place of employment. All applicants need to be teaching hospitality unit standards in an appropriate training environment.  

�        Professional Development Scholarship.

Three scholarships of $10,000 each, aimed at any management level personnel within the hospitality workplace. The professional development scholarship may be used for securing career-development avenues - which may include New Zealand-based or international education options - as well as accessing practical experience to benefit the recipient and their establishment.

�        Workplace Employee Scholarship.

Five scholarships of $5000 each, awarded to worthy candidates currently employed in a hospitality workplace. In their application, scholarship recipients must demonstrate a commitment to the industry and outline how they would use the scholarship to pursue further education relevant to their position and career aspirations.

Applications for the HSI Career Scholarships are currently open. The closing date for all applications is April 21 this year. Application forms for all scholarship categories can be downloaded from the Hospitality Standards Institute website - www.hsi.co.nz Alternatively, copies can be ordered from the HSI support centre, telephone 0800 ASK 4 HSI (0800 275 4474).

For further background information or comment, contact:

Hospitality Standards Institute Chief Executive Steve Hanrahan.

Phone 04 385 9563 / 0274 300 706

For any other information contact Kate Flower, Marketing Manager.

Phone 04 802 7819/ 027 246 8405

For more information about the Hospitality Standards Institute check out our website http://www.hsi.co.nz/