Training & Development

Columbia Hospitality is committed to creating an environment for our employees that provides opportunities to deepen and broaden their capabilities and professional knowledge, whether in a current position or in a management or leadership capacity. Our educational philosophy is built on the premise that people want to grow and learn, and that learning should not be limited only to individuals interested in management positions (which is typically found in most companies, who only want to "invest" in managers, not individual contributors).   

Training at Columbia is more than just a means by which we can prepare our workforce to meet the business demands of today and tomorrow. It is also a mechanism used to drive employee satisfaction, which in turn results in loyal guests and property owners, low turnover rates, and increased overall efficiency and success. 

Our training initiatives are unique and comprehensive, as evidenced in the programs we offer:

Line Certification

Our line certification program offers training designed for all uniformed employees, developed to teach Columbia’s quality standards and their use in driving guest loyalty. 

Management Candidate Program

The Management Candidate Program was created for those currently serving as individual contributors but also interested in future management opportunities.  Interested employees apply for admittance into the program by completing a formal assessment of their strengths, opportunities for improvement, and interests. Those accepted into the program have access to instructor-led courses designed to build professional, management, and leadership skills. 

Professional, Management, and Leadership Courses

All salaried employees, regardless of position, have access to professional, management, and leadership courses. These classes are offered in a number of locations each month and provide employees with ongoing opportunities to learn a variety of skills, regardless of whether they function as managers of people, processes, or projects.