The Sunday News
Rumbidzai Mhlanga, Sunday Life Reporter
The Global Institute School of Hospitality (GIHT) is a college which was established in 2014 with the intention of filling the void in the hospitality industry since at that time it was only the Polytechnic College which offered the hospitality courses.
Starting off the college had only the basic courses like Professional Cookery, Tourism and Hospitality and over the years they added complementary courses like Beauty Therapy.
GIHT Marketing officer Ms Patience Makola said since they started they have had their students securing good jobs both in the country and abroad.
“The Global Institute of Hospitality and Tourism (GIHT) started offering professional courses in 2014 to benefit the Bulawayo tourism and hospitality industry and the nation at large. A qualification in any hospitality management course is a kick start towards a bright career into the tourism and hospitality industry. Our courses are market-driven and as a college, we have an inclusion policy that does not leave anyone out.
“We have had quite a number of our students getting permanent jobs even before finishing their attachment which means they are doing well at work, so far most of our students are now working in Victoria Falls and a few went to Dubai so I guess it means as a school we are on the right track.
“The motive behind the establishment of the college is that we recognised that not everyone is academically gifted or goes to college straight after high school so we introduced the vocational school for school leavers who can read and write in English where basic hotel operations are taught and students are trade tested under the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education’s Industrial Trade Testing Department and most professionals working in the industry prefer this course to get their level of competency tested and certified,” said Makola.
The hospitality industry is an array of multiple customer services which include restaurants, clubs, casinos, resorts, event management, travel and tourism and some complementary services such as professional hunting and beauty treatments. It is a multi-billion-dollar business worldwide and is increasing at a rapid rate.
The GIHT marketing officer said due to the increasing popularity of the hospitality industry, there are plenty of opportunities arising in the world for advancement in the diverse industry for people with a qualification in hospitality and management. She shared with this publication the courses and examination boards that the college offers.
“The institute is an approved centre for both local and international boards like HEXCO, Institute of Commercial Management (ICM), UK and City and Guilds (UK). Local hospitality programmes under HEXCO require five O-levels including English and start from the National Foundation Certificate to the Higher National Diploma. The courses offered are Professional Cookery, Bakery Studies, Tourism and Hospitality Management as well as Food and Beverage Management,”
“The college also offers short courses in baking, cookery, events management, housekeeping, bartending for people who might not have time to do the full-time courses. GIHT has a pool of experts to help educators and businesspeople set up their establishments by providing consultancy services. In the past, specialist consultancy services were available from Harare or South Africa but are now at your doorstep. To find out more about our courses through our social media pages, GIHT on Facebook and giht_zim on both Twitter and Instagram or go to our website www.giht-hospitality.com,” she said.
