Looking to get a job at the Pennsylvania Convention Center or one of Philadelphia’s many hotels or restaurants? Philadelphia OIC offers the training and skills you’ll need to succeed.
Our Opportunities Inn is an award-winning training program dedicated to providing people of all skill levels with the background and experience they need to start a successful career in the food and hotel industries.
Across our various hospitality training tracks, Philadelphia OIC provides all students with entry-level job skills and emphasis on the interpersonal and communication skills critical for success in this field.
Tuition is free for eligible students thanks to scholarships generously provided by the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority.
Hospitality Training Institute
Hospitality Training Institute students can select one of the following course tracks.
Front Office Operations/Guest Services. Instruction focuses on all aspects of front office procedures including PBX, reservations, proper telephone techniques, hotel terminology, salesmanship, accounting and handling customer complaints. Students who pass a final exam receive a certificate from the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute. WATCH: Front Office Operations student Zaahari talks about her experience in the program. Note: While training is free for qualified students, all are required to purchase educational materials totaling about $35. Length: 16 Weeks
Culinary Arts. Designed to prepare students with basic knowledge and practical experience , this course highlights food sanitation, cooking and baking, food purchasing, banquet and meal planning. The Culinary Arts curriculum covers the preparation and turnout of stocks, soups, sauces as well as the turnouts of meats, poultry and fish. Training also focuses on issues of portion control, food costing and control, and purchasing specification. Instruction takes place in a fully equipped commercial kitchen. Culinary arts students receive an opportunity to take the ServeSafe Certification exam at the end of the course. WATCH: Culinary Arts graduate and superstar chef Kristol Bryant talks about her career. Note: While training is free for qualified students, all are required to purchase uniforms and utensils, which costs about $230. Length: 16 weeks
Room Attending/Housekeeping. Course provides technical skills training and hands on experience in hotel guest room cleaning, room inspection, cleaning chemicals and their use, team and guest relations. Students who pass a final exam receive a certificate from the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute. WATCH: Recent student Quadira talks about her experience in the Housekeeping program. Note: While training is free for qualified students, all are required to purchase educational materials totaling about $35. Length: 9 Weeks
Additional Features and Support
All Hospitality Training Institute students also have access to the following:
Academic Education Classes. Students receive training related academic enhancement in math, reading, writing and vocabulary.
Life Skills Classes. Includes lessons in money management, problem solving techniques, conflict resolution, time management, interpersonal skills development and self-esteem issues.
Counseling. Individual counseling addresses a wide range of personal, academic and social concerns.
Hands On Experience. Students receive 2 weeks of unpaid work experience with an employer to apply their training in a workplace environment.
Job Placement Assistance. Job placement services are provided to all students who successfully complete the course of study. This includes help with goal setting, job interviewing techniques and resume writing. Once hired, Opportunities Inn conducts follow-up services to assist graduates in making successful transitions to the job.
Requirements
Since program requirements are dictated in part by employment placement standards established by the hospitality industry, all entrants must:
Have a high school diploma or GED
Posses positive interviewing, communications, interpersonal skills and appropriate overall appearance
Pass an entrance exam stressing literacy and math proficiency
Be able to follow our professional dress code policy, which consists of black dress slacks or skirt and white dress shirt, tie and blazer
Have a valid state ID
STEVENS AMENDMENT Philadelphia OIC SOAR is 66% funded by three U.S. Department of Labor Grants ($2,989,488.81), 18% funded by state and/ or local governmental resources ($830,000), and 16% funded through non-governmental resources ($720,236.36).
FUNDER ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. The product was created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The U.S. Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, the accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it. SOAR program is an equal opportunity employer/program, and auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
Program CONTACT
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When Tenacity Meets Preparation
When asked about any challenges or adversity that she had to overcome in the workplace, Tiesha expounded that she “had to learn how to navigate the challenges associated with working in a fast paced kitchen environment and because of her training at Philadelphia OIC she is able to advocate for herself."
