Middle Management Training

The program was started in year 2008 under the auspices of the Tourism Council of Bhutan and Jacobs and Elysium Foundation based in Switzerland. After the successful completion of I and the II phase of the program, it started with third phase at Royal Institute for Tourism and Hospitality (RITH), upper Motithang, Thimphu from January 6, 2014. The IIIrd phase is being funded by:

• • The Lottery Fund of the Canton of Zurich
  • Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC
  • And Hotel Belvedere in Scuol Switzerland

The intention behind conceiving Bhutan Middle Management Hotel Program was to provide an opportunity for the existing service personnel in the hotel industry to enhance their knowledge and skills and to further develop professionally to be able to serve as middle managers.

A Board of Directors representing both Bhutan and Switzerland manages the program. The Director of Tourism Council Bhutan is the chairman of the board. BMHHP is now integrated with RITH and it will form one of series of academic programs that the RITH will offer in course of time.

The program is held in lean seasons of the year which allows normal classes of two months time to operate twice in a year. This arrangement facilitates them to be back in the business during peak seasons. It is spread over two years. The III phase of program will conclude in August 2015. After the successful completion of the studies, the participants will receive a ' Diploma of Advance Studies in Hotel Management’ which will be issued by HWZ University of Applied Sciences in Zurich, Switzerland and Royal Institute for Tourism and Hospitality.

While the BMMHP invites most of lecturers from well-known universities and from the industry around the world with a plethora of experience and distinguished career span, the local experts also will be engaged in the program wherever it is possible and desired.

For whom is this Program intended?

This course is intended for 30 young male and female Bhutanese who have already gained some work experiences in the hotel industry, but have never been formally trained. The participating hotels recognize that these employees have the potential to move up to managerial positions in midlevel positions in their hotels. This opens the door to a promising future for these young Bhutanese and helps the country to develop

Why offering this Program?

Tourism is one of the main sources of income in Bhutan. However, many employees in the hotel industry lack proper training and education to meet the increasing demand of today’s tourism industry

Diploma

Successful participants are awarded a dual degree: A “Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS) in Hotel Management” issued by HWZ University of applied Sciences Zurich, and endorsed by RITH Royal Institute for Tourism and Hospitality.

Type of Studies

Part-time Studies: 4 x 2 months over a period of 2 years, during the off- season in tourism

Practice-oriented Studies: Theory is put into practice thanks to experienced lecturers from hotels and higher education, case studies, hands-on experience in the form of field attachments, and internships.

Evaluation of Previous Work Experience: Participants are asked to share and reflect on their previous and current work experience with their colleagues under the guidance of a lecturer.

Local Course Instructors and External International Experts: Local course lecturers are trained by international experts working side by side. International experts are working “pro bono”, implying travel costs and accommodation are paid by the project.

Customised Training Program: Every graduate of the first two batches is employed in a hotel or a related sector, most often in a managerial position.

Selection criteria for participants

• • The program will take 30 in-service candidates.

  • The candidates should have 10+2 certification

  • The candidate should be working in hotel at the time of application.
  • The Program will take 10 & 10+1 also provide they have 3 & more years of experience in hotel industry
Gender balance to be considered.

  • The hotel should bear their salary, Travel allowances during their course. The hotel should provide a laptop to their candidates.
  • The hotel should have their own contract with the candidates during the course and if the candidates leaves their hotel (during the course) it completely falls on them and not to the Program

  • Each hotel having 3 stars and above will get placements for a maximum of 3 candidates.
  • Only when there are fewer candidates from local hotels would consideration be given for additional candidatures from hotels having nominated their maximum number of candidatures).
  • Hotels will be asked to give a report and feedback to BMMHP during the participants 4 months work (internship) in their hotel.
  • The BMMHP will inform the hotels regarding the attendance of their participants).
  • Candidates from any hotel taking more than 3 days leave in one course will not be qualified to get Diploma Certificate (we will forward the copy of our Rules & Regulations for the program)).
  • The three best candidates will be sponsored by the program for internship for a month or more (with the availability of fund for more than a month). In this regard Hoteliers should organize their medical insurance coverage during the internship).