10 Students at the University of Finnmark Gain a Career Head Start with PMI Training
Since October 26, ten students at the University College of Finnmark have managed their own hotels using the online program PMI. Today, 65% of hotels in Norway use PMI, but this is the first time Norwegian students train with the professional hotel management tool. PMI tracks room bookings, budgeting, forecasting, accounting, staffing, procurement, and everything else managers need to run a hotel efficiently.
Impressed with the Students
“It has been very educational and informative,” said student Lana Stock (21). After completing the training, she and her classmates ran their hotels virtually for two weeks.
They worked with data from real hotels currently in operation, including Rica, Thon, and several independents. “We assigned each student a specific hotel and challenged them to run it as if they were real managers,” explained Kjell Gangdal, Chief Education Officer at d2o. He trains hotel managers worldwide in PMI and praised the students’ performance.
“They have been very clever and operated hotels beyond all expectations,” he said. To boost motivation, the school organized a competition. The top “Hotel Manager” won a trip to Brussels to see PMI in action. Tourism student Trine Møller (24) from London claimed the prize. “It has been incredibly exciting to gain real insight into hotel management,” she shared, looking forward to her trip in early 2011.
Boosting CVs and Careers
“Learning PMI is a great initiative from the school,” Møller continued. She plans to highlight the course on her CV as she applies for jobs after completing her bachelor’s degree in tourism. Lana Stock, who is completing a degree in hotel administration, agreed. “This course will be on my CV. I am very proud to know PMI. It gives us a clear advantage.”
Silje Kjellmo Johansson (24) from Kirkenes, who works at Thon Hotel in Alta while studying, also recognized the benefit. “At Thon in Alta, only two employees know PMI. Now I do too, and that gives me a head start in my career,” she said with a smile.
Continuing the Program
Arild Røkenes, department head at the Department of Tourism, Hospitality and Media Studies, praised the results. “The experience has been entirely positive. Students showed how they can translate theoretical knowledge into practical skills, while also testing their leadership abilities. Their commitment and results are impressive.”
The department intends to continue the program, responding to strong industry demand. “We thank Rica Hotels Finnmark for making the pilot project possible through financial support,” Røkenes added.
Lana Stock concluded: “This is one of the most practice-oriented courses I’ve taken during my studies here. I’ve already hung my diploma on the wall,” she said proudly, as she sets her sights on a career in the hotel industry.
- Source article in Norwegian: Høgskolen i Finnmark, 26/11/2010
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