4 minute read
Adapting training and education from in-person to virtual
By Alina Day
Training is a necessity even during something as unforeseen as a pandemic. Over the past year, we’ve seen a dynamic shift in the way training has been offered. Pre-pandemic, the Washington Hospitality Association ran several inperson ServSafe Manager classes all over the state in any given month. Suddenly, we had to cancel all our classes and our registrants were left in a suspended state.
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ServSafe introduced online proctoring for ServSafe Manager
Pre-pandemic, online proctoring was simply not allowed. Registrants could take the course online, but the exam had to be administered in-person by a proctor. The coronavirus changed all that. Starting in June 2020, ServSafe announced they were allowing online proctoring. This was a gamechanger for the association and its members.
Employees could now get certified anywhere in the state whenever they needed to. It was introduced at a discounted rate of $134. The price included course, exam and online proctor and was available to members through July 31, 2020. After July 31, the price increased to $179.
Through this new offering, we trained 113 industry workers in 2020. Employees were able to renew their certifications and stay competitive as hospitality reopened.
In April 2021, we began hosting in-person classes once again. Although coronavirus restrictions limited class capacity, we resumed the same training experience employers have come to expect from us. With our in-person classes, our trainers conduct a four-hour review prior to the two-hour exam. This is unique to our classes and not something that can be provided through the online course or proctoring. As Washington reopens, we are securing additional class locations and scheduling more classes around the state. Be sure to look at our e-newsletters and website for upcoming classes.
Hosted virtual education events for ProStart students
ProStart, a culinary and management training program for high school students, also experienced a shift. During “normal” times, education is conducted through in-person classes and field trips to various restaurants and businesses around the state. Fortunately, Washington Hospitality Association’s sponsor Sysco, stepped in to bring the field trip to them.
Chef and culinary consultant at Sysco, Tselani Richmond, excitedly offered to do two videos for ProStart students. The first video focused on culinary/hospitality career pathways, culinary schools and why culinary is still important during the pandemic. The second was a tutorial video on how to make macarons. Together, the videos garnered over 120 views.
ProStart educators enjoyed the videos so much they asked Chef Tse to be a guest speaker for their classes.
Access to free or discounted training
With the coronavirus came a sudden and urgent demand for pandemic-related training. The National Restaurant Association and American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) created new free training to fill that gap:
Coronavirus takeout, delivery and reopening. Restaurant Professional and Restaurant Supervisor learning suites in ServSuccess. American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute:
Supervisory Skill Builders, Hospitality Manager Leadership training series and Certified Hospitality Administrator training review. Protection from pandemic-related employment litigation.
The ServSafe Dining Commitment and AHLA’s Safe Stay
In August 2020, ServSafe came out with the ServSafe Dining Commitment. This commitment was created to communicate to potential diners the steps restaurants were taking to protect them. Members who made the
commitment pledged to adhere to the National Restaurant Association’s Reopening Guidance and train staff on core food safety procedures and supplemental coronavirus precautions.
Additionally, those who committed received: A digital marketing kit to promote their safety commitment. Their location added to ServSafe’s searchable database for the dining public. A coupon for 20% off ServSafe products. Access to ServSafe’s library of food safety posters.
Similarly, the AHLA came out with Safe Stay in July 2020. The initiative focused on enhanced hotel cleaning practices, social interactions and workplace protocols to meet the new health and safety expectations of the pandemic. Safe Stay represents a united industry approach and is endorsed by all major U.S. hotel brands, hospitality associations in all 50 states and Canada, and thousands of hotel properties across the country committed to ensuring the health and safety of guests and employees while continuing to provide outstanding service.
Additionally, those who committed received: Access to on-demand training called Coronavirus Precautions for
Hotels for $5, which included health reporting, conflict de-escalation, disinfecting procedures and more. Checklists for guests, meetings/ events and indoor air quality. Print resources such as table tents, flyers and posters. Safe Stay decal to show your commitment.
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