The National Statler Center for Careers in Hospitality Service

Summary:
Next class begins January 9, 2006.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(September 22, 2005) The National Statler Center for Careers in Hospitality Service was conceived to pair the work potential of the visually impaired population as well as persons with other physical disabilities to potential job opportunities in the hospitality industry. The Center aims to prepare disabled individuals for hospitality careers by providing them with an overview of the industry as well as job specific knowledge. Graduates of this one-of-a-kind program will be computer-literate, equipped with a thorough knowledge of industry standards, and ready for successful, long-term careers. Potential employers may be hotels, convention centers, travel agents, restaurants, etc. There is no cost to attend this training program and the job placement rate of graduates is approximately 87%.

The Center is proud to announce that we have just graduated our seventeenth class of Statler graduates and to date, students have been hired by hotel companies such as Ritz Carlton, Adam's Mark, Sheraton, Marriott, Holiday Inn, Radisson and Hampton Hotels as well as some smaller properties. We have also graduated students from all over the nation, including but not limited to Hawaii, California, Connecticut, Indiana, New Mexico, Missouri, Massachusetts, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Ohio, New York, and New Jersey.

The Statler Center is located in Buffalo New York. It operate three classes per year (January, May, August) and accepts twelve people per class. We are fully funded by local and national foundations; therefore there is no cost to attend our training program. Student's that are accepted into the program must have a high school diploma or GED, type approximately 20 words per minute and be fully rehabbed. It is not necessary to know how to use a computer as that is taught here. It is important that student's can utilize a note-taking device. Most importantly, we are looking for motivated folks who are excited about a career in the hospitality industry as we are.

Currently our job placement rate is approximately 87% and we have placed students in many jobs including (but not limited to), reservationist, switchboard operator, night auditor, rapid response clerk, purchasing agent and human resources agent. Our advisory board is comprised with many people from corporate hotels that are involved in diversity; therefore, they support our program and help us with job placement when needed.

Students attend the training program Monday-Friday from 9am-4pm. The curriculum is from Johnson & Wales University, one of the best hospitality universities in the country and our instructors are from local area
universities.

The only cost is that of food and lodging (none of these monies go to the Statler Center). In the past, state agencies sponsor their consumer in this area. Most of our students stay at the Holiday Inn hotel at the cost of $65.00 per night. This includes transportation and breakfast. There is no reason why two same sex students cannot share a room. Other students have stayed in furnished apartments within a few block of the Statler Center for approximately $400.00 per month. There are many options and we will work with you whatever your budget is.

Scholarships for boarding may be available.

CONTACT:

Jeffrey Hirschfelt, CHA
Employee Advancement Specialist
Phone: 716-882-5690 X 248
e-mail: jhirschfelt@statlercenter.org

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