The World is your Classroom

Industry Training and Development (ITD) or internships are an essential part of ICHM courses. ICHM has an enviable reputation for the quality and variety of internships undertaken by our students. Worldwide internship positions are arranged by ICHM's Industry Training and Development (ITD) Managers.

The locations depend on the student's preferences, passport (visa eligibility), financial capabilities and language skills. ICHM's preferred policy is to place students in paid positions.ICHM graduates travel the world. Working in hotels in Australia and overseas, be it Sydney, Melbourne or the Great Barrier Reef; Dubai, London or Hong Kong...

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The Benefits

• Put into practice the skills and knowledge learnt in the classroom.
• In-depth on-the-job experience in a variety of different roles.
• Insight into the world of work and the responsibilities it involves.
• Gain realistic experiences of the hotel industry in a variety of places.
• Experience different company cultures, systems & work practices.
• Gain valuable work references.
• Obtain insight into a range of career paths.
• Personal growth and independence.
• Networking.
• Access to internal job vacancies.

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The ITD Team

ICHM’s Industry Training and Development (ITD) team is well qualified to ensure that our students obtain quality industry placement positions and are supported while away from the college.

Darren Camilleri joined ICHM 5 years ago. He has a broad background as a chef in prestigious restaurants and major hotels through to positions in hospitality management, training and development and recruitment.

Christina Hercegovac originally joined the IP team as IP Officer 4 years ago. She brings with her 10 years experience in management, recruitment and training.

After 8 years living and working in London Aida Ashworth returned to Adelaide bringing her hospitality experience at an operational level as well as spending the last 8 years in human resources and recruitment.

Gemma McGowan joined the IP team in January 2005. She has a strong background in Hospitality Management having not only trained but also worked in London for 17 years, mainly in the wine sector. She assists and facilitates the Industry Placement process through both an administrative and a ‘hands on’ role, whilst keeping in contact with students on placements through the regular newsletter, ‘Global Gossip’.

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From left: Gemma McGowan, Darren Camilleri, Christina Hercegovac, Aida Ashworth.

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Position

SHA Diploma students are required to undertake one placement in Food and Beverage and one in an area other than Food and Beverage. This follows the Swiss Hotel Association’s philosophy that it is important to learn the industry from the ground up and the belief that a good hotel manager has a broad understanding of core hotel operations through multi-skilling.

With the Food and Beverage and Rooms Divisions generally accounting for over 90% of hotel revenues, this knowledge can have a significant impact on hotel profits. Students are not placed in these positions to learn how to become great housekeepers or waiters, but to learn as much as possible about the “why” and “how” of hotel operations.

Students are also expected to observe, understand, question and analyse all aspects of the hotel from their insider vantage point. By applying lateral thinking and course knowledge, students should also identify and prepare strategies for operational improvements.

Some hotels will rotate students through a variety of positions, while others prefer students to remain within one department. In their third industry placement, students can explore other roles offered by the hotels.

Not all students will be placed in 5-star international hotels. International standard, full service hotels, boutique hotels, resorts, wineries and various other hospitality operations are selected for their extremely valuable undergraduate training.

ICHM aims to find Industry Placement for all students in positions deemed suitable to fulfil the requirements of the course.

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Assessment

Employers are required to assess students on internship across a variety of performance measures. Students often obtain references from their supervisors or managers and must also complete an Industry Training and Development report for assessment by the Industry Placement Managers.

This in-depth report covers an analysis of the hotel property, marketing, organisational structure, management style and other key areas. Reports also include the student’s positions and experiences, plus advice on accommodation, transport and general living giving an invaluable reference for other ICHM students.

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Duration

• Each student is required to satisfactorily complete a minimum of 1400 hours of undergraduate industry training in order to be awarded the SHA Diploma and commence their fourth year ICHM BachelorDegree studies.
• Some students achieve this in two, 20 to 24 week industry placement semesters, while others undertake a third internship.
• Unless undertaking language study, the third industry placement is popular with students as a gateway to a career.
• Internship semesters can also be arranged for ICHM Certificate and Diploma students and students fast-tracking to the ICHM Bachelor Degree after they have completed an on-campus academic semester.

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Monitoring

• The IP Team keeps in touch with students by phone and email, newsletters are also regularly sent to students.
• Most students in Australia are visited at least once and sometimes in Overseas countries by an ITD Manager where practical.

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Location

• ICHM works with a network of over 450 hotels around the world to place students, though most students choose to undertake their internships in Australia.
• ICHM encourages students to keep their career goals in mind when choosing locations. International work experience is valued by employers. Some countries may require visas for entry. Students are responsible for organising their own visas.
• Students must also be able to speak the language of their requested country. Where a placement is a student’s first real job, it is recommended that they choose to stay in Australia or their home country so assistance from ICHM or their family is nearby if required. Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Gold Coast and North Queensland are the most popular locations in Australia.
• There are limits to the number of students we can place in some companies and locations, so sometimes the student’s first choice cannot be accommodated.

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The Internship Process

• The industry placement process begins early in the prior academic semester. Students are required to list three destination preferences on their Industry Placement request form. ICHM’s Industry Placement Managers research the positions at suitable hotels and related organisations.
• The Industry Placement Managers then formally apply for the positions on behalf of students. The requirements will vary across hotels; some will require face-to-face or telephone interviews with the hotels having final decision on employment.

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Earnings & Expenses

• As a rule, ICHM places students in paid positions. Wage rates will vary from country to country. As a guide, over 20 weeks, students in previous years have typically earned between A$7,000 and A$9,000 in Australia. Students may have opportunities to work extra shifts to earn more. However the student must account for tax, accommodation, transport, meals and entertainment as well as travel to and from the industry placement location. Thus the student could clear A$2,000 to A$4,000 over a six-month period.
• Some hotels will provide accommodation and meals, particularly in remote locations, however in most cases students will need to arrange their own accommodation. While it is ICHM’s preferred policy to place students in paid positions, from time to time students request to be placed in countries which do not pay “trainee” employees. Students considering specific placement offers will have ample opportunity to assess the conditions and expected earnings before accepting the offer.

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