2005

part

• r1 t offer new opportunities

Special to the Mlaalsslppl Business Journal

Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Chief Phillip Martin (center) and East Community College president Dr. Phil A. Sutphin (right) sign an agreement establishing the hotel/restaurant management technology program to be offered by the college at the Choctaw Hospitality Institute beginning with the 2005..()6 college term. At left is Pearl River Resort president Chuck Miller.

be held at CHI will offer students not only a classroom setting but hand -on experience they can't get anywhere but the workplace," he said. Sutphin said several students are already enrolled in Lhe program. Because it's a lab-based program, there will be only 20 students enrolled each year. Twenty more stu– dents will be added the second year. He also hopes to add a culinary component next year, bringing in another 20 students. That will require additional instructors and per– haps visiting chefs. Tubby said the CHI is set up basically for the gaming industry. It has several classrooms where games and slot technology are taught and has a large kitchen. This year the institute trained I ,000 employees in March and 500 each of the other months. "We started guest hospitality training trying to get all the employees through it before the busy season starts in June," he said. "We have trainers from all the departments of the resort who teach basic skills." He said the program with Lhe community colJege will enhance these basic classes, giving employees an oppor– tunity to earn a degree. "This will accelerate their train– ing, and they will have the opportunity to move into lower management," he said. "Just walking around the property, I've had a few people express interest in it·· Employees have been informed of the ne\\ •pro-

gram through bi-monthly meetings , a resort newsletter and e-matl Clas<.e' will be offered during the day. Tubby said whether or not employees are a1Iowed to attend during a work shrft will be at the discretion of department super– visors. Some of the classes to be offered include hotel and restaurant nanagement technology, computer applica– tions, hospitality tourism, oral communication, English compositicn. applied business math and social studies. Additional!). Tubby said students can participate in supervised\ ork programs. Sutphm ~aid the community college has been push– ing for th ~