Hawaii workforce development nonprofit ClimbHI has reached nearly 1,400 public high school students in the first two years of its Service Excellence Certificate program for the state Department of Education Career and Technical Education Hospitality Pathway.
This fall businesses and organizations generously sponsored hundreds of certificates so students throughout the state could enroll and complete the program with no additional cost. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available for next semester, which will start in January.
Launched in January 2020 by ClimbHI with funding from the Hawaii Tourism Authority, the Service Excellence Certificate helps graduates be more workforce ready. Sponsorships have helped students from 21 schools statewide.
“This holiday season as we complete our largest semester of the Service Excellence Certificate program, we encourage Hawaii businesses, organizations and hospitality leaders to support the next generation as they take their first steps in hospitality education,” said Julie Morikawa, president and founder of ClimbHI. “This program showcases what we can accomplish under a successful public-private partnership.”
Student training is provided across nine modules, which can be completed remotely. The curriculum was developed in partnership with the School of Hotel Administration at the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business. Upon completion of the program, students receive a Service Excellence Certificate of Achievement from Cornell University and ClimbHI. Courses cover skills development, managing customer interactions, and Aloha Spirit Law.
Fall 2021 sponsors included: Prince Resorts; Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association; Ka‘anapali Ocean Resort Charitable Trust; Mauna Kea Resort; Residence Inn by Marriott in Kapolei; Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu; Marriott Ko Olina Beach Club; The Ritz-Carlton Residences Waikiki Beach; Highgate and Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort &Spa.
For more information on the program, or to sponsor student certificates, email info@ClimbHI.org. All high schools statewide are eligible and encouraged to submit sponsorship requests by emailing info@ClimbHI.org.