Hampton Bays Hospitality Academy Wins Accolades

HAMPTON BAYS, NY — An innovative new program aimed at teaching hospitality industry skills has garnered accolades.

The Hampton Bays School District’s Hospitality Academy was spotlighted as part of the 29th annual Magna Awards program sponsored by the National School Boards Association’s flagship magazine, American School Board Journal.

The continuing adult education program earned an honorable mention for being innovative and inspiring, the district said.

“We are thrilled that our program was recognized,” said Superintendent of Schools Lars Clemensen. “We are excited to be offering it for a second year.”

The hospitality program was inaugurated during the 2021 to 22 school year as a partnership between the district and Canoe Place Inn and Cottages, Rechler Equity and the Suffolk County Department of Labor.

During the course of five weeks, participants gain valuable skills pertaining to the hospitality industry. They engage in traditional classroom instruction, hands-on, project-based learning, and engagement with leaders in the field. The course culminates with a job fair.

Dinner is included at each session and childcare is provided at no additional charge.

Following its success, the Hospitality Academy was awarded a $35,000 grant renewal to run the popular program for a second session, which is currently underway and will culminate with a job fair on April 1, the district said.

A new program geared toward teaching the tools of the hospitality trade kicked off at Hampton Bays High School in March, 2022.

The program, a release said, aims to focus on "where warmth and sincerity meet to create a fulfilling and lasting positive feeling."

On Long Island last year, the talent shortage in the hospitality created a 61 percent increase in the number of job openings across the region, the HBUFSD said. "The competition for a skilled workforce is intense, and a pool of committed candidates is critical for the future of the hospitality economy across the East End."

The Hospitality Academy at Hampton Bays is an "educational, engaging and interactive job training series that is designed to help prepare participants for a multitude of career development and opportunities in the hospitality sector," the release said.

Sessions focus on hospitality and tourism careers; Long Island as a global destination; the guest experience journey; food and beverage, front and back of the house; lodging and operations, human resources and workplace professionalism; resumes, interviews, and marketing yourself.