Number of Hilton University participants in the Gulf triples over last year

An average of ten courses a year are completed by each student, 20 per cent of whom are local nationals.

"Our team members become the people who run our business, so we are determined to invest in their skills, so that they can realise their full potential. Hilton University is a fantastic scheme which allows employees to learn at home and at work, for self improvement or to develop professionally and widen their career opportunities," said David LeMan, Hilton's Regional Director of Human Resources, Arabian Peninsula.

Hilton University is recognised as setting global standards for management development in the hospitality industry. It was recently awarded a prestigious Education and Training Award at the UK hospitality industry's equivalent of the Oscars - the Caterer and Hotelkeeper Awards.

Serving a growing number of employees ranging from hotel staff, team leaders, departmental managers and general managers in 70 countries, the primary focus of Hilton University has been the web-based delivery of core management and skills development aimed at maintaining world-class customer service throughout the Hilton International organisation.

Over 300 different e-learning courses are available for team members to access and complete at their own pace and time. If they wish to learn while at work, "Learning Zones" and "Knowledge Rooms" have been set up in every hotel in the region. Since the e-university's launch in February 2002, Hilton employees have completed over 55,000 e-learning courses worldwide.

Courses range from general management, interpersonal skills, financial analysis, communication and sales techniques to desktop technology and specialised tutoring on food and beverages, as well as room service.

The e-learning courses are delivered in English, in order to increase international participation. The University is also offering English courses on-line, to help Hilton employees across the region learn or improve their English.