Stamford Plaza Adelaide Wins AHA Top Award for Staff Development & Training
Stamford Plaza Adelaide (SPA) has won the coveted Staff Development and Training Award (over 100 employees) at the 2015 Australian Hotel Association Awards for Excellence, held at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on July 28. The Award comes as SPA continues to broaden its work with the local hospitality industry and roll out a number of innovative education and staff training programs.
Stamford Plaza Adelaide Vice President of Operations Karl Unterfrauner said the win was testament to the hotel’s absolute commitment to the highest level of training and education and catering for industry needs. “I am absolutely thrilled that Stamford Plaza Adelaide has won this prestigious award. We have left no stone unturned in regard to training and development of our staff, who without a doubt are our greatest asset,” he said. “The significant work we have done in the area of training and development has set the foundation for building strong, job ready staff who are all now able to fill many promotional positions from within the hotel.”
SPA has recently revised its hiring policies to give preference to hospitality students for roles that offer career progression throughout the hotel. It also regularly hires students on work placements and internships in all areas of the hotel. The success of this practice is evident in the number of employees now in permanent roles at SPA. The hotel has also re-focused on expanding its working relationships with the broader hospitality industry partnering with the likes of; Le Cordon Bleu, University of South Australia Tourism and Hospitality, Adelaide Hospitality and Tourism School, Tafe SA and many more.
“SPA has taken an innovative approach to training where all staff are encouraged and in many cases required to undertake in-house training programs. This system has ensured we maximize the value of our training while minimizing the impact on operations,” Mr Unterfrauner said. “The end result is we have impressive retention rates and really happy, motivated staff who excel in all areas of their roles. Nothing makes me happier than to walk around the hotel and see our employees smiling and furthering their careers in the hospitality industry.
Stamford Plaza Adelaide was also shortlisted in the following categories at the AHA Awards.
Stamford Plaza Adelaide
• Deluxe Hotel Accommodation
• Restaurant – Accommodation Division – La Boca
• Marketing and Promotion – Accommodation Division
• Hotel Industry Rising Star Award – Jessica Battams
Stamford Grand Adelaide
• Best Entertainment Venue – The Grand Bar
• Best Function Operation / Facility – Specialist & Accommodation Division – Conference & Events
• Hotel Industry Rising Star Award – Brittany Michell
SPA will now be in the running for the national AHA Awards in the same category.
For more information on Stamford Plaza Adelaide please visit http://www.stamford.com.au/spa
Source: Stamford Plaza Adelaide & Stamford Grand Adelaide, July 30th 2015
