College and Casinos Partnership Offers Vocational Studies
Finally the employees at Pechanga Resort & Casino will have a chance to expand their vocational studies. A partnership between San Diego State University and Pechanga Resort & Casino offers several classes to employees and the public in the coming months.
15 employees already "graduated", earning professional certificates in the fields of hospitality or American Indian gaming by completing courses offered at the casino.
The courses for the month of August will be "Hospitality Overview" and "Introduction to Indian Gaming" and in September "Exploring Wine". The courses are $249 each, which runs once a week at night although the wine course will be taught in the afternoon.
Rod Luck, Pechanga's assistant director of human resources, said "We are very pleased with the partnership," "It gives us a lot of opportunities to work with the community and our team members to learn about and advance the hospitality and casino industry."
The College of Extended Studies gives certificates to students who complete five courses at the university. Wendy Evers, director of certificate programs for the college of extended studies, said the courses are run by "industry experts" and are rigorous and thorough requiring participation in class, projects, attendance taken, homework assigned and tests.
Evers said, "This year we are really saying anyone who want to work in a casino or at wineries in Temecula - here is your chance to take a class," "We provide the education and skills needed to move up in an industry without having to go (earn) a four-year degree... We show the 'big picture'."
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