Hospitality Academy Kicks Off In Hampton Bays

HAMPTON BAYS, NY — A new program geared toward teaching the tools of the hospitality trade kicked off at Hampton Bays High School Tuesday night.

According to Hampton Bays Union Free School District Seminar Lars Clemensen, the initial session, based on "Hospitality and the Service Industry," began with a total of 48 participants.

The program, a release said, aims to focus on "where warmth and sincerity meet to create a fulfilling and lasting positive feeling."

On Long Island today, the talent shortage in the hospitality has created a 61 percent increase in the number of job openings across the region, the HBUFSD said. "The competition for a skilled workforce is intense and a pool of committed candidates is critical for the future of the hospitality economy across the East End."

The Hospitality Academy at Hampton Bays is an "educational, engaging and interactive job training series that is designed to help prepare participants for a multitude of career development and opportunities in the hospitality sector," the release said.

The program is being presented alongside the opening of the Canoe Place Inn and Cottages — as Hampton Bays continued to grow as a destination, new hospitality career opportunities will open up, district officials said.

The Academy includes traditional classroom instruction, hands-on project-based learning, and engagement with leaders in the field and culminates in a job fair in April.

The Academy is free-of-charge to participants ages 18 and older. Dinner is included at each session from 5:30 p.m. and classes run from 6 p.m to 8 p.m. Childcare is provided at no additional charge.

Future sessions focus on hospitality and tourism careers; Long Island as a global destination; the guest experience journey; food and beverage, front and back of the house; lodging and operations, human resources and workplace professionalism; resumes, interviews, and marketing yourself.

The Hospitality & Tourism Job and Career Fair takes place on Saturday, April 23, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Hampton Bays High School, 88 Argonne Road E, Hampton Bays.