The University of Vermont’ s Professional and Continuing Education division( PACE) has recently introduced an innovative Hospitality Management Professional Certificate, which is designed to strengthen Vermont’ s hospitality workforce and meet critical industry needs within the Green Mountain State. The program officially launched with its first cohort in April 2025, followed closely by a second cohort in May. The certificate program offers flexible and accessible education to learners statewide, with plans for another cohort scheduled for Fall 2025.
Maureen Hebert, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Employer Partnerships at UVM PACE, explains that the certificate emerged from extensive collaboration:“ We’ ve worked with a number of industry sectors and constituents across Vermont, along with state agencies and economic development groups. The Vermont Chamber and Vermont Lodging Association specifically identified recruitment and development challenges following COVID.” With hospitality contributing significantly to Vermont’ s Gross Domestic Product( A $ 4 billion industry supporting over 30,000 jobs and roughly 10 % of Vermont’ s workforce), PACE felt compelled to assist.
The response is the University of Vermont’ s Hospitality Management Professional Certificate program. Meticulously structured, it focuses on comprehensive skill-building aligned with current hospitality industry demands. Participants gain proficiency in hospitality marketing, mastering innovative promotional strategies, digital and social media marketing integration, reputation management, and customer relationship management( CRM) systems. Leveraging platforms such as Instagram, TripAdvisor, Yelp, and Google Reviews, participants develop essential skills to attract, engage, and retain customers, crucial for modern hospitality operations navigating competitive digital marketplaces.
Maureen Hebert, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Employer Partnerships at UVM PACE
Additionally, the certificate covers critical financial competencies, including budgeting, financial reporting, cash-
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