Be honest—when was the last time you sat through a training session?
When was the last time you sat through a training session that actually stuck with you?
We’ve all been there: a long-winded PowerPoint, a thick manual nobody reads, or a half-hearted “watch this video and sign here” approach.
Sure, it ticks the compliance box, but does it actually teach anything? Probably not.
Now, imagine you’re a new hire, never before worked in hospitality. You get a quick rundown, maybe shadow someone for a few hours, and then—boom—you’re on the floor dealing with real customers.
A week later, you’re still making mistakes, feeling overwhelmed, and wondering if you’re even cut out for this.
The truth is the problem isn’t you—it’s the way businesses approach training.
At The Hospitality Hero, we’re passionate about equipping young people with the skills and confidence they need to thrive.
We believe that intensive, hands-on training isn’t just beneficial—it’s essential. When employees feel prepared, they perform better, stay longer, and create exceptional guest experiences.
Poor training isn’t just frustrating for employees; it’s costly for businesses.
Consider these stats: 70% of employees forget what they’ve learned in training within 24 hours if it’s not reinforced.
The hospitality industry has one of the highest turnover rates, averaging 73% per year. Many employees leave because they feel unprepared or unsupported.
Training shouldn’t just be a box to check—it should be a tool that empowers employees and enhances guest satisfaction.
Many hospitality businesses fall short when it comes to training. A single onboarding session doesn’t prepare employees for real-world situations—learning should be continuous.
Staff need hands-on learning, not just slide decks and quizzes.
A front desk employee and a bartender don’t need the same training, so a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work.
Without reinforcement, employees forget, making regular check-ins and refreshers essential.
So how do you make training effective?
Short, engaging lessons over time, rather than overwhelming employees with hours of content in one go.
Let new hires learn from experienced employees and practice real-world scenarios. Training isn’t a one-time event; it’s an ongoing conversation.
Recognizing and rewarding employees for completing training or demonstrating new skills makes a difference.
Using real guest experiences makes lessons more memorable and relevant.
I have recently just opened a new Pub, The Savvy Fox Pub and we knew that proper training would be the key to building a strong, confident team. Since many of our new staff members were teenagers, we designed a fun, hands-on training program to get them excited and fully prepared.
Over three evenings (5-7 PM), they experienced every aspect of the job—tasting every dish on the menu to understand ingredients, engaging in role-playing exercises to perfect their service skills, and practicing real interactions.
In the final days before opening, we invited friends and family to dine with us, giving the team invaluable experience with real customers. This approach has paid off massively, and we now have an incredibly strong and capable team ready to deliver top-notch service.
Think about your current training approach. Is it engaging, practical, and effective? Or is it just something to get through? Investing in quality training doesn’t just help your staff—it improves guest experience, boosts retention, and increases profitability.
A well-trained team isn’t just a box to tick—it’s the key to a successful, stress-free workplace. When employees feel confident and capable, they deliver better service, stick around longer, and actually enjoy their jobs.
And let’s be real—happy, well-trained staff make for happier customers. Investing in hands-on, engaging training isn’t just good for business; it makes everyone’s life easier.
So, take a step back and ask yourself—is your training actually helping your team thrive, or just something to get through? Because when you do it right, the difference is huge.
If you’re passionate about hospitality, business, or just enjoy a good behind-the-scenes look at the industry, follow me on socials to keep up with my journey. I share insights, experiences, and plenty of real talk about what it’s like to work in this fast-paced world. Let’s keep the conversation going!
