Training in the Hospitality/Tourism Industry

The objective the BridgeUSA Exchange Training program includes engaging participants fully in approved rotations to ensure professional and personal growth while developing new skills and knowledge.   The goal of work-based training is for participants to display they are not only learning the task but understanding how it fits into the overall successful operation and management.   The program is also intended to increase participants’ understanding of American culture and society, and to enhance Americans’ knowledge of foreign cultures and skills through an open interchange of ideas between participants and their U.S. associates.  The training and internship programs must only be used for bona fide training or work-based learning, not to have exchange visitors perform ordinary work. 

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Acceptable Rotations

• Front Desk/Concierge/Reservations

•  F&B Service Positions (restaurant, catering/banquets, hotel outlets) – focus is customer service skills, US service standards, teamwork, communication, financial goals, sales/marketing, leadership

• Beverage Service - focus must includes cost control, service standards, sales and marketing, inventory, beverage management.

• F&B Host - focus includes restaurant “floor” management, teamwork, leadership, communication, customer service

• Professional Culinary Training Positions – must be rotated through different levels.

• Activities and Event Planning - focus must be on event planning, scheduling and marketing, cost control and learning the position to understand its management and overall role in the operation

• Purchasing/Accounting/HR/Sales/Executive Office

• Advanced Training/Supervisor Skills - Interns/Trainees are encouraged to learn about budgeting, marketing, management, and scheduling by shadowing and observing supervisors.

 

Rotations Sometimes Acceptable

• Housekeeping - only as part of a rotational training plan.   Cannot exceed 3 days of job shadow and must focus on learning the position to understand standards, management and leadership.

•  Night Audit – training must be limited in duration cannot exceed 20% the training plan (60 days of a 12-month program) and must be 100% supervised.   Participants cannot be training/working alone.

• PBX – no more than 20% of the training plan

• Server in Training – for participants with no or very limited experience, focus on overall introduction to operation and service standards, maximum duration 15 days’ best practice, 30 days when additional training is necessary (benefitting participant’s development.) Training occurs during orientation or intro to new phase/rotation.

• Prep Cook - for participants with no or very limited experience, focus on overall introduction to operation and service standards, maximum duration 30 days’ best practice, 60 days when additional training is necessary.   Occurs during orientation or intro to new phase/rotation

• Retail - focus must be on service standards, marketing, purchasing, inventory and learning the position to understand its management and overall role in the operation.  No more than 20% of the training plan.

 

Never Acceptable as Rotation, includes but not limited

• Food Busser

• Food Runner

• Coffee Barista/Fast Food Service/Cashier/General Clerk/Counter Help

• Cleaners Hotel/Resort, Laundry

• Dishwashing aka Kitchen Worker

• Short Order Cook/Fast Food Prep

• Banquet Set Up

• Attendant

• Valet

• Spa

• Maintenance

• Security

• Housekeeping

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Suggested Key Words for International Exchange

The following are suggestions of appropriate words to use when referring to international exchange programs. The overarching goal is for people to understand that exchange programs are primarily for cultural and educational purposes even when they have a “work” component. Whatever words you choose, consistency in messaging is key.

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Words to Use

Cultural Ambassadors                                 

International                                                 

Exchange                                                       

Host organization                                        

Educational component                             

Cultural component                                    

Public diplomacy

Skilled

University coursework                                                                   

Rotations

Supervised                                                     

Growth and Development                         

Improve participants’ knowledge of American techniques

 

Words Not to Use

Employment

Workers

Cheap/affordable

Unsupervised Training Program                                         

Labor

H2b or other labor visa

Employees

Unskilled

 

Code of Federal Regulations 

List of Unskilled Positions

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Important Regulations:

• The Exchange Visitor Program regulations establish the primary objectives of the training and internship programs at 22 CFR 62.22(b)(1)(i): to enhance the skills and expertise of exchange visitors in their academic or occupational fields through structured and guided work-based training and internship programs and to improve participants’ knowledge of American techniques, methodologies, and technology. Such programs are also intended to increase participants’ understanding of American culture and society, and to enhance Americans’ knowledge of foreign cultures and skills through an open interchange of ideas between participants and their U.S. associates. The training and internship programs, therefore, must only be used for bona fide training or work-based learning, not to have exchange visitors perform ordinary work.

• Hospitality Programs of more than 6 months require at least three different departmental or functional rotations and or phases.  

• Training plans should be progressive with advance training aspects focusing on leadership and business management skills and traits.

• Minimum of 32 hours per week is required.

• Host provided or assistance with housing and transportation.

• Host must provide continuous onsite supervision and mentoring by experienced and knowledgeable staff and conduct required midpoint and final evaluations.

• Will notify AJ1 promptly of any concerns about, changes in, or deviations from Training/Internship Placement Plan during training programs. If the host begins to see performance concerns which may result in the termination of the participant Host Company should contact AJ1 immediately.

• Arrange “Cultural Activities and events” for participants.

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