Oklahoma and CareerTech’s ‘Hospitality’ on the Rise

By Erin Portman,
Oklahoma Department of CareerTech

According to statistics, domestic travel spending in Oklahoma reached nearly $3.9 billion during 2002. In 2004, the United States ranked third in the world’s top tourism destinations. Combine that information with the fact that Americans are spending more than $900 per person a year eating out, one can imagine how rapidly the food industry and hospitality field is growing.

Consumers want high quality food, speedy service and knowledgeable employees who provide them with quality service.

Oklahoma’s Career and Technology Education system’s Culinary Arts/Hospitality programs are in the Hospitality and Tourism Career Cluster.

Career Clusters are broad occupational groupings of specific industry based jobs that organize student instruction and experiences from entry through professional levels,according to Carolyn LeGrand. LeGrand is a program specialist working on the Hospitality and Tourism Career Cluster at the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education.

“These programs help train students in this increasingly popular profession,” LeGrand said. “According to CareerTech records, Culinary Arts/Hospitality program enrollments increased to nearly 800 in 2005 in Oklahoma’s high schools, technology centers and adult programs.”

Seventeen technology and skills centers across the state boasting a Culinary Arts/Hospitality programs include Autry Tech, Enid; Caddo-Kiowa, Ft. Cobb; Francis Tuttle, Rockwell; Great Plains, Lawton; Indian Capital, Muskogee; Kiamichi, Idabel and Poteau; Meridian, Stillwater; Metro Tech, South Bryant and Springlake; Northeast, Afton and Pryor; Pioneer, Ponca City; Tri-County, Bartlesville; Tulsa Tech, Lemley; Western, Burns Flat and Hillside Skills Center (correctional facility), Oklahoma City. Tulsa Tech’s Peoria campus also offers Hotel and Lodging Management.

Image of Brittany Hobbs practicing her slicing technique

Brittany Hobbs, Grove, practices her slicing technique while grandmother Glenda Lollar, Fairland, looks on.

John Marshall and Douglas High Schools in Oklahoma City, Yukon High School also have Culinary Arts/Hospitality programs.

“The Hospitality and Tourism Cluster is one of 16 Career Clusters on a national level that helps students learn more about their chosen field,” LeGrand said. “Local partnerships provide opportunities for students to learn from various content experts, view appropriate resources, share current successes, and enhance their strategic plan.”

By engaging business partners, educators can further develop and align specific academic courses, curriculum and work-based learning experiences for career clusters.

“The Hospitality and Tourism Cluster is comprised of four pathways: Restaurant and Food/Beverage Services; Lodging; Travel and Tourism; and Recreation, Amusements and Attractions,” LeGrand said.

The curriculum is based on industry standards set by the American Culinary Federation, National Restaurant Association and the American Hotel/Lodging Association. Certification is available to students who complete the requirements.

Students also have the opportunity to participate in a ProStart course. ProStart teaches students skills needed to work in the restaurant and food service industry or a related hospitality industry. The National Restaurant Association Education Foundation sponsors ProStart.

Students who meet academic standards, complete a checklist of skill competencies and participate in 400 hours of mentored work experience and pass an end-of-course exam receive the ProStart National Certificate of Achievement.

“Students have gone from a high school, skills center or technology program to a full-time job or directly to college,” LeGrand said. “We have students attending OSU-Okmulgee, OSU-Stillwater, Platt College, Johnson and Wales and the Culinary Institute of America. Students have gone on to have successful careers as managers of restaurants, owners of catering companies and at country clubs.”

Oklahoma’s Career Tech system offers advantages to its Culinary Arts/Hospitality students.

“Technology centers, high schools and skills centers have the latest in technology and facilities available to students with training customized to fit the students’ needs,” LeGrand said. “Programs allow students to work at their own pace. Instructors are dedicated and have industry experience. There is also the opportunity for hands-on operation at technology centers, high schools and skills centers for students to practice what they learn.

“Those in the hospitality and tourism cluster, like Culinary Arts/Hospitality students, take the same basic courses, allowing for flexibility in the field. And there’s always the opportunity to change course directions if one decides to go into another field within the hospitality and tourism cluster.”