Academy of Hospitality & Tourism

National Academy Foundation

Launched in 1987 by a non-profit organization called the National Academy Foundation (NAF), the Academy of Hospitality & Tourism prepares students for post-secondary education and careers through a theme-based, contextualized curriculum approach. Academic learning experiences are combined with hands-on work experience to help students develop the thinking and problem-solving skills critical to post-secondary education and career success.

The Academy provides public high school students with the requisite knowledge and skills for a successful career in one of the world's largest service industries, through a curriculum that provides an in-depth look at all aspects of tourism and hospitality, including coursework in business, geography, hospitality, and economics. The Academy of Hospitality & Tourism operates as a small learning community and is located in more than 110 high schools nationwide.

The World's Largest Industry

As one of the world's largest industries, hospitality and tourism offers a wide variety of career choices to employees at every experience level. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment was at an all-time high of 12,125,000 in 2003. Moreover, the employment boom is expected to continue; occupational forecasts indicate an increase of 17.8 percent through 2012, and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis shows that total sales of U.S. tourism industries grew 11.6 percent ($20.5 billion) to $757.7 billion in the first quarter of 2004, exceeding the overall tourism sales for the industry's peak in fourth quarter 2000.

Meeting the Needs

The need for academic instruction and practical industry-related work experience to prepare young people to enter this exciting field is more critical than ever. Through their Academy experience, students gain an understanding of the connections that exist between their education and the workplace. Academy teachers and industry mentors provide students with the curriculum and guidance necessary for rewarding careers. With more than 500 travel-related companies participating as business partners, the Academy fosters the personal, analytical, technical and communications skills needed for a career path in hospitality and tourism.

Curriculum

NAF provides curriculum that has been developed in collaboration with partners representing industry, associations, higher education, and the NAF network.  In addition, NAF provides a set of courses, further divided into units that are comprised of projects and lessons.  Each course is typically designed to comprise one semester.  In a traditional sense, the Academy courses are considered "electives" for a school or a district.  NAF also provides an outline of objectives for the Academy which instructors are free to use or integrate their own material, as long as they cover the course objectives.

The Academy Model

·    Community partnerships includes the collaboration between the school and the larger community, toward the development of local advisory boards and paid student internships—a critical factor in connecting the “real world” to classroom study;

Mission

The objectives and purposes of the AOHT shall be:

• to support workforce development in the Hawaii hospitality and tourism industry;
• to offer opportunities for exposure of high school students to as many facets of the industry as possible;
• to provide exposure to the host culture and emphasize Hawaiiana as an integral part of the industry;
• to provide scholarships for continuing education in the area of hospitality & tourism; and
• to provide internships and career shadowing opportunities.

HTA’s 2005-2015 Tourism Strategic Plan

By 2015 tourism in Hawaii will:

• Honor Hawaii’s people & heritage;
• Value and perpetuate Hawaii’s natural and cultural resources;
• Engender mutual respect among all stakeholders;
• Support a vital and sustainable economy; and
• Provide a unique, memorable and enriching visitor experience

HTA’s Workforce Development Plan

GOAL – to ensure a sufficient and highly-qualified workforce that is provided with meaningful careers and advancement opportunities.

Maui Academies

The first academy began in the early 1990’s at Lahainaluna High School funded by a one-time donation from Kaanapali Beach Hotel.  Because it was so successful, Maui High School and Baldwin also joined the program in 1994 & 1995 respectively.  

Currently on Maui there are approximately 220 students enrolled in the Academy of Hospitality & Tourism program.

PROJECT SUMMARY

Our overall goal is to provide exposure to and to prepare a workforce for the visitor industry.  Participating high school students have the ability to earn credit towards graduation and receive internships and scholarships. Most importantly, AOHT hopes to better prepare our youth for employment in the industry and keep them in Hawaii for the future.

• Establish a direct and relevant correlation to workforce development and the AOHT program;
• Understand the challenges of our Hawaii DOE system and its impact on our AOHT high school advisors and programs in each school;
• Re-evaluate, re-organize and re-energize the Academies (including Board members and partners);
• Reintroduce the AOHT program to the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association property and allied members;
• Strengthen relationships with our business and political leaders

GOALS & OBJECTIVES

The goal of AOHT is to provide exposure to students who would not ordinarily have an introduction to the industry and to offer exposure to a visitor’s point-of-view. Our main objectives are to provide internships for “hands on” experience in the work force and to provide scholarships to those who wish to continue their education in the visitor industry.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

AOHT relies on community involvement to provide internships and scholarships. Students gain experience in the visitor industry via internships at hotels, activity companies, travel agencies, car rental agencies, County offices, the Visitors Bureau, DOE.

RESULTS

The program provides students with:

• Exposure to the industry
• An understanding of the visitor’s perspective

Thus, they are enabled to:

• Learn new skills

• Become employable
• Gain confidence