Hotels VIVA has opted to improve its employees’ training during the suspension of operations caused by COVID-19. From the chain’s perspective, staff training is a key factor in achieving success. We strive to ensure that by updating and acquiring new skillsets our workers can continue to flourish, both professionally and personally. We have chosen to view the difficult situation stemming from the crisis as an opportunity to put these values into practice.
Thanks to the interest and willingness shown by our employees from the outset, the chain has scheduled more sessions than were originally envisaged. The results so far are highly positive, with the employees themselves requesting more training.
To this end almost 6,000 hours of training have been arranged, divided into 458 courses, both for the management and for the rank and file personnel. The scheduled training encompasses a wide range of subjects, improving the technical, professional and language skills of the workforce. Of the 6,000 hours that have been lined up, 42% relate to technical skills, 32% to languages and 26% to professional skills.
Examples of training focused on improving technical skills are: office IT courses, creative cooking, new techniques for organising the cleaning of communal areas and room service, organisation of catering services, prevention of legionella, the use of social media, occupational health and safety, etc.
As far as language training is concerned, customer service courses are being given in English, German, French, Russian, etc. This comes in addition to the project that the chain has been developing for some years in conjunction with the Taplingua company, in which the staff are trained via an app for mobile devices, without any need for a computer. Currently, specific courses are being offered in English and German for bar/restaurant staff and in English for room service personnel. Hotels VIVA has extended access to these courses for a year, so that once they have been completed staff can begin again and acquire in-depth skills in the areas that most interest them. The chain is striving to extend the range of online language courses to other departments.
Regarding the training focused on enhancing professional skills, among others, courses related to work team management, leadership, management skills and communication have been scheduled.
Webinar of the VIVA team with the acoimatge training center
As training focused on developing professional skills is concerned, courses have been scheduled related to the management of work teams, leadership, executive skills and communication, among others.
In addition to the training that has been organised over the course of this period, the chain has provided its employees with other resources and materials; these include stories and pictures for the youngest family members to colour in, videos, motivational guides and COVID-related advice, all of it aimed at supporting them and their families during this difficult situation that we are all trying to overcome.
Lastly, Hotels VIVA would like to congratulate and thank all its employees for the efforts they are making and the positivity they have shown.