The Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association is excited to bring you a new opportunity in which to engage. The HospitAbilities Certification is a new program created in a partnership between the Oklahoma Restaurant Association and Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association. It is a skills-based hospitality certification for individuals with intellectual, emotional or physical disabilities. It was created to meet a major need in the Hospitality community in Oklahoma. The largest issue in our industry right now is workforce related, specifically in the areas of employee pool and entry level turnover. Statistics show that students who fit in the category of Ability 1(disabled), when trained well, will not only be great employees but they will STAY.
We learned there were Ability 1 students learning entry level hospitality skills through a program called Service Careers but that currently there was no formal curriculum or certification for that program. After evaluating the need, both Associations decided to partner together to launch the 18 essential service skills HospitAbilties program, which includes Industry-Endorsed Certification, Classroom Curriculum, Job Placement Assistance and Employer Training/Support. There are a variety of choices from or rolling silverware to dicing an onion or making a bed. In order to pass the certification a student must choose 7 skills to complete. Students are have the opportunity to test in April and November each year.
One of the definitions of hospitality is a friendly and generous welcome. As leaders in Oklahoma’s hospitality community, we are dedicated and look forward to welcoming students with their HospitAbilities certification into our workforce and want to encourage them on their journey to be hospitality superstars and ambassadors!
Champion - $5,000
You personally contribute to the success of these students your business may identify a team member to help proctor student certifications when we certify twice annually.
Opportunity to make a short presentation at HospitAbilities program education and industry learning sessions.
Your business logo on all HospitAbilities student completion certificates.
Your business logo on all HospitAbilities program materials.
Verbal recognition at all HospitAbilities program education and certification events.
Your business logo on the HospitAbilities program landing page of the ORA website.
One social media post on your behalf recognizing your partnership.
Advocate - $2,500
Your business logo on all HospitAbilities program materials.
Verbal recognition at all HospitAbilities program education, certification and events.
Your business logo on the HospitAbilities program landing page of the ORA website.
One social media post on your behalf recognizing your partnership.
Supporter - $1,000
Your business logo on all HospitAbilities program materials.
Your business logo on the HospitAbilities program landing page of the ORA website.
