STWDB sponsors LCC-led hospitality
training project at La Posada Hotel/Suites
A new workforce training project is raising the bar in customer service for Laredo’s vibrant hospitality industry.
Leaders from Laredo Community College, the South Texas Workforce Development Board and La Posada Hotel/Suites gathered for a press conference to deliver an overview of the training program at the Tesoro Room in the historic downtown hotel Tuesday, June 6.
The STWDB is funding the project with an incumbent worker grant of $17,120.
The LCC Continuing Education Department, which offers an array of courses through its three hospitality certificate programs, is providing the training for more than 80 employees at La Posada.
Individuals can pursue certificates for hotel supervisors, food service and hotel administration.
“Laredo Community College is pleased to join forces with the South Texas Workforce Development Board to make this project a reality by training workers in different departments within La Posada Hotel and Suites,” Federico Zaragoza Jr., workforce development coordinator, said.
Some of the training has begun, including two courses in computer applications and two courses in communications improvement/English as a second language.
“The computer classes are conducted at the main campus, while the communications improvement/ESL classes are under way at La Posada and are expected to finish in June,” Zaragoza said.
Rogelio Treviño, executive director of the South Texas Workforce Development Board, said that the initiative is a win-win situation for both employers and employees.
“The South Texas Workforce Development Board is committed to finding workforce solutions for local businesses,” Treviño said. “In this initiative employees acquire workforce skills that empower them to become more productive in turn providing career advancement opportunities. The employer acquires a more productive employee, in turn generating business growth opportunities.”
Other STWDB-funded training LCC plans to offer to La Posada employees involves courses in hospitality management and leadership, food service safety and sanitation, food certification, basic food preparation and menu planning, customer service for hotel waiters, and first aid and CPR.
Robert E. Stanfield, general manager of La Posada Hotel/Suites, said that the workforce development project will provide training for a significant number of the hotel’s 170 employees.
Zaragoza encourages local lodging facilities to learn more about the training opportunities the college offers through its hospitality certificate programs.
For more information, call Zaragoza at 721-5373.
Present for the press conference were, from left, LCC workforce development coordinator Federico Zaragoza Jr., Laredo Development Foundation executive director/STWD Board of Directors chair Roger Creery, La Posada general manager Robert E. Stanfield, LCC Continuing Education director Steve Mon Dragon, LCC chief development officer Blas Castañeda and STWDB executive director Rogelio Treviño.
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