Many researchers have given a lot of attention to define what training is. Many authors have also explained what training is all about. But, all have come up with the same idea that training is about skills, knowledge and attitudes. The question is how we know if individuals posses those sources. The answer would be if you were able to demonstrate your skills (how well) and managers were happy about it, then you ready to go on board. Wait a minute!

What is actually training in the hospitality industry?  I found that training is nothing more than providing you with the basic ability to provide uniformly high standards of service (how). 

There is an argument for this, (supposed) an individual can demonstrate his or her ability (skills) to perform, then this individual does not require any more training. Wow, just a moment!  The next question will be, �did he or she show how to do the job base on our �standard�? Thus, we should provide a new applicant with training that focuses on �standard� work procedures.  According to this paragraph, if someone possesses �an adequate� skill, thus training is necessary to perform tasks �according to standards�. 

The short discussion above may be subjective or maybe too implicit to determine the usefulness of training. But, what I am trying to explore here is �something� beyond the training programs for persons who have had enough experience in the field. This may have been hidden for quiet long time.  Again, in the hospitality industry, managers tend to seek someone who has a basic skill to perform (how well), and then from that basis, a new employee will be assigned to undertake further training to �polish� with work standards (how). Thus, it appears that your past experience is �only� working during recruitment and selection process. Again, from this paragraph, training program is provided in line with the work standards.

Further discussion, most of the training managers have their own agenda to supply the industry with �qualified staff� and this has to be done to achieve companies� vision and strategic objectives. However, there is one missing point here that the training programs offered may far than staff�s expectations.  Experienced staff does not want any �basic� skills anymore, but using his or her past experience to jump up to the next level, therefore, they require management development programs. 

Managers may argue that we �expect� you to serve our guests according to the manuals and should follow literally. For example, you have shown to managers the way you serve customers. Everything has run smoothly and beautifully and there were not any mistakes. At the end of the day, managers will evaluate and give you a positive feedback.  However, it was not the way it works at this hotel. The hotel expects you differently. It is only a matter of the �right way� to service guests. Your styles do not reflect us. Thus, the word  �expect� will sound explicitly.  It can be seen that what happens to staff depends not just upon �how well� you serve, but also upon �how� you serve customers. 

�How well� you serve is related to individuals� skills, whereas �how� you serve customers is a matter of work procedures.

Having had work experience is the good one and this may be useful to support your career progress (referring to how well you serve customers).  But, once again, if you have failed to execute the hotel work standards (referring to how you serve customers), it seemed unlikely for every staff to be promoted. Originally, training programs in the hospitality industry purpose:

1. to support staff with basic skills required to perform tasks,
2. to provide additional training (if it is required) to reduce the performance discrepancies, or  to support for a new position,
3. to supply employees to be able to carry the company�s banner,
4. to provide for staff with new acquired knowledge to achieve customers� expectation,
5. to offer staff with �appropriate� attitudes, and certain knowledge,
6. lastly, managers expect staff to work uniformly high standards

Training programs aim to ensure staff can do the job properly and they work at the same manner.  Therefore, how well and how you serve guests are considered really imperative in the hospitality industry.