Today, English is the main language spoken in many restaurants and hotels all over Finland. Many international employees are doing well and wish to develop their professional skills further. Graduates from Vamia are also pursuing additional education to strengthen their expertise in the hospitality industry.
Vamia’s Specialist Vocational Qualification in the Hotel and Catering Sector is a training programme for people already working in Finland in a hospitality sector supervisory or managerial role. The education takes 1.5 years. Individual study paths and a quicker or slower study pace are possible.
Shieldon Padla immigrated to Finland from the Philippines in 2019. He applied for a job as a cook via Barona in the Philippines, and soon found himself in Jyväskylä working for Sodexo, one of the largest food service companies globally, operating in 45 countries.
– I also got to work, for example, in Rovaniemi and Nagu (Nauvo). But then the unthinkable happened – the corona pandemic – and everything halted. I was working at ABC in Kristiinankaupunki, when I learned that a huge Prisma market would open in Vaasa 2022. It was convenient to change jobs within the S-Group so I moved to Vaasa to work at Ravintolamaailma Liisanlehto. I have now been working here since the start. I was promoted to shift manager less than two years ago, Shieldon recalls.
In order to expand his management skills as well as explore new ideas and ways of working, Shieldon applied for the training programme. So did his colleague Elina Luoma, who works as deputy restaurant manager at Ravintolamaailma Liisanlehto. Isn’t it a disadvantage to study in English being a native Finn, Elina?
– No, not at all. I don’t think anyone in our study group has English as their native tongue. Shieldon and I are in the same situation. We are both working in a multinational environment. For the moment there are up to fifty people of ten different nationalities employed in our restaurant, Elina reveals.
Shieldon finds that the training supports his goals as a teacher and supervisor, too.
– We have a lot of trainees from Vamia here. I needed to learn the Finnish way of teamworking and building trust. I have found a more relaxed and confident way of communicating with my team now. The next step is brushing up my Finnish language skills. Definitely, Shieldon promises.
The training also offers tools for entrepreneurship.
– For the moment, I will focus on my young family and my career here. Then who knows! Maybe my wife and I can venture a business in the future together since my wife is starting a career as a pastry chef here in Finland, says Shieldon.
Elina wishes to pursue her career within the S-Group, too.
– We have a good thing going here and we feel appreciated. Our study days at Vamia, one day each month, is paid by our employer. We also try to balance hard work with fun extracurricular activities such as bowling, carting or air soft games.
Both Shieldon and Elina will soon get their degree. Shieldon will present a development plan for his workplace.
– I have some ideas on how to update our kitchen operations. I will make use of my experience from abroad, too.
Elina focuses on the economy.
– The bottom line is crucial to every company. As a manager, it’s my job to see the bigger picture and work to achieve the best result.
Application period for Specialist Vocational Qualification in the Hotel and Catering Sector is open until 30.6.2025.
