Where should you start with housekeeper training? What should you think about when considering which courses to take? There are many different training options available at the moment for housekeepers. And there will be more options than you may think. Let’s have a look at what training is available for housekeepers, and which might be suited for you.
What Are Your Training Goals?
Before we look at what training is available for housekeepers, let’s find out first what you want to achieve. Defining your goals can be helpful before setting out on your learning journey.
What skills do you or your staff already have? If you or staff already have the basic housekeeping skills and years of experience thinking about the subjects the housekeeping course covers will be useful. Are there any gaps in knowledge?
Will you or your member of staff need to be able to serve food or laying the dinner table? Greet guests? Or supervise staff serving food, laying the dinner table?
The above skills can be great skills to have as a housekeeper. But they are typically not covered in a classic housekeeping course. This is where, for example, a Silver Service course would be suited. This is often seen as the next step in training housekeeping after the basic course and will give the next level of service skills. A housekeeper may then increase the services they can offer or knowledgeably supervise other staff.
Will you or your staff member be responsible for managing other staff, overseeing the household? Dealing with outside contractors or budgets?
Housekeepers looking to progress to this level and develop management skills will often have the experience of or have completed the housekeeper training course and/or the Silver Service course. Ensuring they have all the necessary basic skills before completing the house management training.
Do I or my housekeeper need to have completed the housekeeper training course and the silver service course first?
Thinking about the skills you have and those you need will determine the courses you need. If you do not need to serve guests or supervise staff serving then you may feel that the silver service course is not necessary. Equally, if you have been a housekeeper for many years you may feel the housekeeper training is not for you but you would like to progress and house management is where you need to develop your skills.
Housekeeper Training
When looking at what training is available for housekeepers, the most straightforward option is a complete housekeeping course. Here you will learn all the tools and techniques of housekeeping, and so much more. You would understand how to clean each of the specific areas of a home including care of special surfaces and stain care. You would cover laundry including care of fine garments, ironing, steaming, folding. Even subjects such as shoe care, handbag care, wardrobe management will be covered. Packing and unpacking, finishing touches for the home including basic flower arranging as well as how to provide turndown service.
Silver Service Training
This course is about how you interact with guests and provide everyone with the best possible service. This could be an excellent added training available for housekeepers.
You will cover table management and the form of service for the following types of service – Silver Service, Butler Service, Russian Service, Buffet Service, Tray Service, English Service, French Service, Yacht Service, Party/Event Service. How to serve wine, champagne, tea & coffee, High Tea.
You will also cover subjects such as etiquette and address, including arrival & departure. Glass and Silver polishing, napkin folding, hygiene and finishing touches.
House Management Training
You will cover the hierarchy of the private home. This can be a great training option for housekeepers looking to take on more responsibilities. You will look at staff management including organisation and planning, hiring and firing, staff communication. Time management, teamwork, problem-solving. Dealing with contractors, health and safety and fire awareness. Budgets and inventory. Shooting etiquette, party and events organisation and planning.
How To Get Started
Are you ready to start a new training course? Polo & Tweed are here for you! We have our Housekeeping, Silver Service as well as House Management training all available in online formats. Meaning you can do all the training from the comfort of your own home. According to your own timeline! So why not get in touch with us here to discuss training options, and get you started!