Crown Institute has been providing leading Hospitality, Business, and Travel & Tourism courses for almost 40 years. Crown recognises the importance of keeping up to date with industry requirements.

STA Travel is a global travel specialist with over 30 years experience helping students and young people travel the world. Globally it is the preferred travel company for over 6 million people, with over 200 retail locations worldwide including 13 stores, a call centre and online presence at www.statravel.co.nz in New Zealand. Offering much more than a cheap airfare anyone looking to ‘experience the world face to face’ will find an array of real value products on offer for individual journeys, work, study abroad and group travel.

Crown Institute has worked closely with STA Travel to develop two exciting new units for their students. Crown is now offering the STA Travel Sales Certificate for all students studying the level 4 certificate and the STA Travel Marketing Certificate, for those studying the Strand Two option. “STA Travel is pleased to support Crown Institute of Studies and is always on the lookout for bright, fun loving, passionate travellers with a solid background in sales” says Natalie Sharod – STA Travel Business Development Manager.

Both options provide students with the broad knowledge required by all areas of the industry, including airline, retail travel, wholesale travel and tourism. This helps to cater for the diverse needs of students and provides more opportunities to assist them in preparation for employment.

Strand One, the IATA pathway, will be of particular interest to those wishing to progress their career in airline ticketing. Strand Two develops students ability in sales and marketing skills, allowing students to excel in customer service, team building and online promotional methods essential for the travel and tourism industry.

Crown Institute still has places available in the 7^th February and 26^th March intakes. Contact Crown’s friendly staff on 0800 357 316 or email info@crown.ac.nz for more information.

Picture: Natalie Sharod talking to students at one of Crown Institute’s Industry Days.

Paige Olliver and Danielle Metcalf, graduates from the Crown Certificate in International Hospitality – Hotel Services and Reception Operations course, have already secured great jobs at top-notch hotels.

“It wouldn’t have been possible without the amazing staff at Crown Institute of Studies and the skilful lessons provided to us,” says Paige.

Paige is now a receptionist at the Sky City Grand Hotel and Danielle is a receptionist at the Copthorne Hotel.

Their enthusiasm in their studies, strong work ethic and help from our careers advisor, all helped them in securing such fantastic roles within the hospitality industry.

Natalie Tolhopf, Crown’s Careers Advisor, says “I’m so proud of Paige and Danielle for taking action and jumping at opportunities. Their proactive approach and willingness to learn has really helped them in securing these positions”.

Both Paige and Danielle were also part of the Crown Student Representatives Team and helped with organising events and activities for the Crown Community.

The Crown Certificate in International Hospitality – Hotel Services and Reception Operations is a great course for students who are interested in both hospitality and tourism and would like to gain qualifications in both disciplines.

If you would like more information about the Crown Certificate in International Hospitality – Hotel Services and Reception Operations then click HERE. Next classes start 7 February 2012.

Terry Swanson, Academic Director at Crown, opened the afternoon and welcomed guests to the special occasion.  He spoke about what an achievement it was to be graduating and imparted some words of wisdom to the graduating students,“I believe there are three things that can make you a Triple A graduate… application, attitude and aspiration”.

The guest speaker for the occasion was a recent Crown graduate Samantha Morris. Samantha spoke about her nervousness as a new student and how Crown helped her grow from a young student into a mature working professional.

Samantha is now working for GO Holidays as an Asia Consultant and was awarded the Top Travel Student Award for 2011.

With beaming smiles students went up on stage to receive their Certificates and Diplomas. Some students will go on to further studies while others will be venturing out to find jobs in the industry.

Even though these students have graduated from Crown, our Career Advisor Natalie Tolhopf is here to guide them. “It is important to us at Crown to support and guide our graduates in finding a job. We offer online support as well as one on one career counselling”.

We would like to wish all our graduates all the best for the future. We are sure they will all be very successful in their careers.

Thank you to North Harbour Netball for providing a great venue and to Function Staff for your great hospitality.  Crown Institute is a proud community sponsor of North Harbour Netball.

We are enrolling now for Travel and Tourism, Hospitality and Business courses starting in 2012.  Fill in our pre-enrolment form by clicking here.

A diverse variety of companies participated in the event, ranging from Air New Zealand and Showcase Hospitality to adventure tourism companies such as OGO Rotorua and Agroventures!

Natalie Tolhopf, Campus Manager and Careers Advisor says, “networking is the best way to learn about new job opportunities, but many students are too shy or nervous.  It is important to us that we offer our students a chance to form these skills relationships with people in the industry”.

This was an excellent forum for students to learn more about the many different companies in the industry and the types of career paths they can take. It also gave them a chance to meet and make contacts in the industry for the future.

Crown Institute students really appreciated the opportunity.  Darryl Cook a student studying the Crown Certificate in International Travel, Tourism and Airline Studies course really appreciated the opportunity “the Industry Open Day really reaffirmed that I’m heading in the right career path”.

The Industry Open Day is a bi annual event held at Crown Institute.  Different companies from the hospitality and travel industry participate and give students insight into what it is like to be working in these exciting industries.

Take a look at the poster below to find out which companies attended the day.

If you would like more information about the courses then phone 0800 357 316 or email info@crown.ac.nz

The travel and tourism students have all gained the IATA/UFTAA Foundation & EBT International Diploma.

Leanne Annabell, Head of Department – Travel, Tourism and Hospitality, says “we are so proud of our students. By completing this diploma they have opened many doors for themselves and are able to work internationally in the tourism industry”.

IATA (International Air Transport Association) is an international trade body, which was created over sixty years ago by a group of airlines. It represents over 230 airlines. Crown Institute is an Authorised Training Center (ATC), one of only three in New Zealand.

Previous students who have graduated with this qualification from Crown Institute have gained employment as travel wholesalers, airline reservations staff, travel consultants, check-in agents and flight attendants all around the world.

If you would like more information about Crown Institute’s travel and tourism courses then please phone 0800 357 316 or email info@crown.ac.nz

Become a fan of Crown Institute on Facebook by clicking here

Crown Institute’s management and tutors believe it’s important to offer work experience to students who are willing to put in the effort required.

Crown works closely with Function Staff. Function Staff is recognised as New Zealand’s most outgoing and dynamic staffing source for event and promotional requirements.

Function Staff was chosen to work with rugby event organisers to ensure a true New Zealand hospitality experience for customers throughout the tournament.

Function Staff teamed up with Crown Institute of Studies to enhance service delivery and customer comfort and to ensure that customer expectations were exceeded at every event.

Students from Crown worked at the rugby tournament from the pool games to the finals. From liquor managers to waiters, they were given a once in a lifetime opportunity to work at an international event. Students gained fantastic work experience and skills to add to their CVs.

Here are some of the experiences our students had.

I worked for Function Staff at all the tournament’s Eden Park matches. At first I was a little afraid of working there because I thought I wasn’t skilled or experienced enough. But the staff were really friendly and they helped me a lot. On the first day I worked as a kitchen hand but with my liquor controller qualification that I gained from studying at Crown Institute of Studies, I was promoted to work as a Liquor Monitor/General Manager.

Sara Hong – National Diploma in Hospitality Management graduate

During the rugby tournament I was absolutely delighted to be given the opportunity to work for Function Staff as a Corporate Box Host at Eden Park! It was an amazing opportunity to be a part of history and I was always proud to put on my neatly ironed shirt, tie, pants, apron and polished black leather shoes for each game at Eden Park, and host a box.

Every game was different and I enjoyed them all. I learnt so much from working in the corporate boxes; like the importance of appearance and delivering good customer service to keep the clients manahau (happy). My hospitality skills have definitely improved through this experience.

Serving drinks and canapés and being able to look over my shoulder towards the booming roars of the crowd and look down at the stadium scattered with rugby players was pretty awesome I must say! Meeting some former All Blacks like John Kirwan was another highlight.

I met lots of people during my work at the tournament, from celebrity clients in my box (Martin Henderson, to name just one) to the fantastic people I worked with. Though sometimes it felt like the nights were long and for sure it got tiring, looking back I had so much fun and I enjoyed my work experience. It was all worth it; every second.

Thank you Function staff and Crown for an experience like no other.

Leilani Steffany – Crown Certificate in International Travel, Tourism & Airline Studies graduate

During the recent rugby tournament, I had the important role of looking after clients in a corporate box. Throughout all the games that were played at Eden Park I was the Head Steward.

During the opening game I looked after the Maori King, Tuheitia Paki, and his wife, along with politicians and people from some of New Zealand’s biggest companies. One of my favourite memories would have to be how well our Maori culture was showcased. The reo (language), karanga (welcome call), haka and the performance as a whole was breath taking.

My favourite game was Ireland versus Australia. The atmosphere that the Irish fans brought was just spectacular. They were loud and the chants that went off echoed throughout the stadium.

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed the tournament and everything I experienced. All the staff that I worked with were outstanding, making work as easy and fun as possible.

Paula Low – Crown Certificate in International Hospitality (Food & Beverage Service) student

Crown Institute of Studies is enrolling now for hospitality, travel and tourism, and business courses starting in 2012. Contact the institute on 0800 357 316 or info@crown.ac.nz for more information.

Devils, Scream masks, Zombie brides were out on the prowl and looking to have a good time! Alyssa Raynes took out best dressed, taking away a $50 Westfield voucher. Her Zombie Bride outfit was awesome!

This years party was held at the well know club Forte, tickets sold out and it was fun filled night with fantastic food, drinks and music. Students danced the night away!

To see more photo’s of the party visit or Facebook page!