There are hotel management institutes and then there are hotel management schools offering state-of-the art training and a sneak preview of the hospitality industry. The Oberoi Centre of Learning and Development (OCLD, formerly Oberoi School of Hotel Management), established by the late M.S. Oberoi of the Oberoi Group in 1966, falls under the latter category. Recognised among the best in Asia, OCLD offers a two-year postgraduate diploma, providing high quality, professional training in hospitality management.

Though hotel management institutes are a dime a dozen, what sets OCLD apart is that it is supported by one of the big names of the hotel industry in India — the Oberoi Group. Thus, students get to learn first-hand the intricacies of hospitality as well as to intern and serve with Oberoi. Roy C. Wood, dean OCLD, says, “Our USP is that we are regarded as one of the premier institutes in Asia, with many of the illustrious alumni, recognised amongst the leaders in the hospitality industry today.”

Innovate and gain

What also works in favour of an education at OCLD is its constant effort to keep abreast of latest trends and accordingly, to adapt and innovate. Their latest offering is the Systematic Training and Education Programme (STEP). This three-year programme provides undergraduates the opportunity to acquire specific and specialised training and knowledge either in kitchen operations or other hotel operations, at the same time as pursuing a bachelor of tourism studies (BTS) degree from the Indira Gandhi Open University (IGNOU).

During the course of training with Oberoi Hotels and Resorts and Trident Hilton hotels, coupled with the opportunity of becoming a graduate, the Oberoi Group bears most expenses on behalf of the trainee. These include benefits like accommodation, meals-on-duty, fee for the bachelors degree, basic medical benefits and even a telephone call home every week, in addition to a monthly stipend. Trainees earn a certificate of proficiency from the Oberoi Group at the end of the programme. They can seek work in deluxe and first class hotels and resorts of the Oberoi Group and others.

Bill of fare

Those doing the two-year postgraduate diploma have a choice of specialising in guest service management (focusing on food and beverage service and front office), housekeeping management or kitchen management (focusing on culinary skills and the ability to run kitchen operations). To this day, most of the general managers, vice-presidents and senior executives with the Oberoi Group are graduates of OCLD. University graduates or those from different hotel management institutes or a three/four-year diploma may apply for admission.

Wood claims, “Candidates must demonstrate that they have a passion for assisting people, solving their problems, anticipating their needs and exceeding their expectations. They should have the right attitude, determination and motivation, tempered with pragmatism and a realistic ambition.” These are essential ingredients to be successful hospitality personnel.

On the map

It is at present located in the Maidens Hotel with its own suite of teaching rooms, kitchen and restaurant. Later this year, it will have a new address. Accommodation is provided in hostels and apartments for all OCLD students near the Maidens Hotel. It’s not all work and no play for these associates. In addition to the activities organised by the associates themselves, OCLD also provides a full calendar of activities and social events through the year.

Shibani Chattopadhyay

Vital Statistics

WHAT IS IT? A professional hotel management institute.

WHO’S THE BOSS? Roy C. Wood is the dean.

WHERE TO STAY? Accommodation is provided for.

WHAT IS THE USP OF THE INSTITUTE? It is the only course in India that provides
theoretical and practical training in a real hotel environment along with the prospect of employment with the premier hotel group of the country, the Oberoi Group.

WHERE IS IT LOCATED? 7, Sham Nath Marg, Delhi-110054. Telephone: 011-23890505. Email: careers@eih-india.com

OLD MEMORIES

Jishnu Veliath, executive housekeeper, Trident Hilton, Gurgaon, recounts his OCLD days

I was part of the 1995 batch and OCLD marked the beginning of my professional life. It provided me with the perfect ambience for learning and helped develop my managerial skills. The programme helped me in developing the right skills necessary to make it big in the hospitality industry. It taught me to strive for levels of perfection and excellence in every job that I execute.

As a manager, I always try to deliver services that exceed the guest’s expectations. In a nutshell, the OCLD experience groomed me to be a manager with the right levels of competency not only in delivering quality service but also in functions like finance — budgets, recruitment-training, team building and, in a booming tourism sector, contributing towards new projects being undertaken by the group.

For me, joining a team that gave the brand image of Oberoi was always a dream and it was the happiest day of my life when I got accepted at OCLD.

As told to Shibani Chattopadhyay