Launched in 2016, Napa Hospitality Industry Partnership (HIP) is led by lodging, winery, and restaurant employers in Napa County, California, and supported by a range of community partners.

Napa HIP invests in the future of the Napa Hospitality Industry through employer and community collaboration, industry education and employee sustainability, to build a world-class workforce that supports our industry’s growth.

The Yountville Chamber of Commerce took over convening Napa HIP in 2019.

The Napa HIP meets every other month to continue our work on workforce issues in the Napa Valley.

Napa Valley Luxury Service Training Certificate

Napa Valley College’s Hospitality, Culinary & Tourism Management Department (HCTM) is excited be the first college in the world to partner with Forbes Travel Guide (“FTG”), the world-renowned and only global hospitality rating system, to launch a series of luxury service training courses for students and hospitality employees. 

The partnership is a result of convening business leaders, educators and community partners through the Napa Hospitality Industry Partnership (Napa HIP). Napa Valley Community College District is the first college in the world to offer Forbes Travel Guide Online Luxury Service training certification.

The courses aim to provide students and hospitality employees with unrivaled knowledge and skill to strengthen their resumes and to elevate luxury service within the hospitality industry. Course one is an “Introduction to Luxury Service,” covering basics such as telephone etiquette and effective communication. Students will then seamlessly continue onto the next course to learn the specific service standards for luxury hotels and resorts, including standards for concierge, reservations and arrival/departure services. Additional service areas covered are housekeeping/turndown, dining (including in-room dining), bar and lounge and pool standards.

The first class took place in Summer 2020. Twenty One Napa Valley College students completed the course and received the certificate. 

The Fall 2020 class will start on Monday, October 19, and be taught by Yountville Chamber of Commerces own, Jessica Penman. Please visit http://napavalley.edu to register. 

NapaLearns Virtual Academy

In the wake of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, students’ lives have been turned upside down. They are increasingly concerned about their futures and are considering alternative education paths that can provide them with the training and support they need to expedite their entry into the workforce or to give them a leg up as they pursue college.

The NapaLearns Virtual Career Academy delivers the coursework, instructors, mentorship, and access to the software and labs needed to earn one or more entry level certifications in their chosen area of study. In addition, test prep will be provided and exam fees are covered.

Classes offered include: Digital Marketing, Digital Design, and IT security. 

Fall classes are currently full but NapaLearns hopes to be able to offer another Virtual Academy in the future. 

Napa County Office of Education

The Napa County Office of Education has put together a virtual Hospitality Employer Panel for their hospitality students at Vintage High School. Students will view video tours of several hospitality properties and then have the opportunity to submit questions for a virtual panel. 

NCOE has also created a virtual mentorship program for high school students in Napa County. In these crazy times, it’s vital for students to have interaction with career mentors. Napa County

Office of Education is hosting an 8-week virtual mentorship program for high school students in

Career Technical Education pathways across Napa County and is looking for business partners. 

They will be offering 3 mentorship cohorts beginning in September, January and April. 

For the Fall cohort, they are looking for help in the following industries:

  • Business & Entrepreneurship
  • Healthcare 
  • Hospitality Video 
  • Game Design & Digital/Graphic Design

If you are interested in participating in NCOE programs reach out to Angela Higdon, Napa County Office of Education at ahigdon@napacoe.org or (707) 253-6939.

Virtual Job Fairs 

With the rising unemployment rate due to COVID-19 it is more important than ever to be connecting job seekers with employers in Napa County. 

On Wednesday, July 29, the Yountville Chamber of Commerce and BANG Napa Valley put on a Virtual Job Fair for wineries in Napa and Sonoma Counties. There were 12 employers and over 60 job seekers that attend the job fair. 

On Tuesday, August 4, Workforce Alliance of the North Bay and CareerPoint Napa put on a cross-county job fair for all industries. They had over 20 employers and over 80 job seekers on the job fair.

With the success of the job fairs the Yountville Chamber of BANG Napa Valley have created a Job Seekers Skills Webinar Series culminating in another Virtual Job Fair on Thursday, October 1. 

For information on participating please email Jessica Penman at jessica@yountville.com 

 

Napa HIP Action Plan Update for 2020 – 2021

The Napa HIP has updated its action plan for 2020 – 2021.

Objective:Expand and strengthen the local hospitality workforce

Strategies to meet the Objective:

  1. Identify the Demand
  2. Improve Training Offerings in the Region to Enhance Soft and Job-Specific Skills
  3. Increase Awareness and Exploration of Hospitality Careers Among Youth
  4. HIP Member Program Participation

To view the full Action Plan click here

The next Napa HIP meeting is on Tuesday, October 20 at 10:00 a.m. via Zoom.

If you are interested in participating in Napa HIP please email Whitney at whitney@yountville.com