High Achiever: Sharon Wallace | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua

Necessity got Sharon Wallace into the restaurant and hospitality industry, but she wants today's young people to get involved because they see the potential for a vibrant career.

She started out as a waitress at the Rotorua THC hotel - a young mother needing to earn some money.

But her talent and dedication to the sector meant she quickly rose up through the ranks to become a trainer for THC and a number of other local hotels and industry organisations such as the Sheraton and various Maori training providers.

"I always wanted to improve myself and I learnt very quickly about taking every opportunity that was presented to me. I was quickly immersed [in the industry], meeting people and attending to their needs."

One of the highlights of her career was when she was chosen to serve lunch to Queen Elizabeth when she visited the city in 1974.

Today Sharon is a senior hospitality lecturer, teaching students enrolled in Waiariki Institute of Technology's Diploma in Hospitality course. She is also the first Maori representative on the Hospitality Standards Institute board and the Rotorua president of the Restaurant Association of New Zealand.

"As a hospitality trainer the qualities I teach are customer care, communication - verbal and listening skills, grooming, reliability, adaptability, a good work ethic and the key skills required to get the job done."

Sharon identifies a shortage within the industry of people who can deliver service to an acceptable standard - from junior right through to senior positions - and she says upskilling and training are important at all levels. "To address this need, we should be identifying students at high school level who want a staircase into this vibrant career."

Perceptions about hospitality jobs are one of the challenges she sees to getting young people interested in careers in the sector. Sharon wants to motivate students at high school level and encourage them to view hospitality as a viable career choice.

"[If we can achieve that], there will better qualified people, with more transferable skills that should see them gainfully employed."

High Achiever

- Do you know a High Achiever who might be suitable for a Post Business profile? We are looking for people who:

- Are leaders in their industry or the local business community

- Have recently received an award or qualification

- Have been promoted within the company or taken on a new post at national or regional level

- Are celebrating a significant milestone

- Have made a particular contribution to their industry or wider business community

- Contact business editor Julie Taylor on (07) 348 6199 ext 57015 or at business@dailypost.co.nzBy Julie Taylorjulie.taylor@dailypost.co.nz