Jill Moran really didn鈥檛 know what she was getting into when she signed up to attend the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce鈥檚 WorldHost Fundamentals training last March, which she took through Job Options. At the time, she was looking for work and had recently moved to the Valley. She now wholeheartedly supports the program and encourages others to sign up.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 have any clear expectations about what the course would offer,鈥� Moran said. 鈥淚 anticipated that it would be fairly dry 鈥� based on my past experiences for this type of training 鈥� but the WorldHost facilitator, Gayle Bates, and the program content exceeded my expectations.鈥�
Laura Brown, who took the training while working at the Chamber as a summer student, agrees.
鈥淚 found Gayle Bates to be an incredibly engaging instructor who takes ordinary information and transforms it into information that is exciting, thought-provoking and meaningful,鈥� said Brown, who now works full-time at the Chamber.
The Chamber has scheduled another training session May 22 and 23 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at 2040 Cliffe Ave.
WorldHost Training Services was launched as the SuperHost program in 1985, offering customer service training for EXPO '86 in Vancouver. The certification program is for those who deal with the public. It teaches skills and techniques of service professionalism.
The topic of the workshop is Customer Service Fundamentals.
鈥淭he training is designed to provide affordable, relevant and quality customer service training solutions for front-line staff and managers,鈥� Bates said. 鈥淭he program gives individuals the skills and confidence required to excel at customer service. It gives businesses a competitive edge and, for organizations, it connects them to a network of
dedicated service providers that strive to enhance the customer experience.鈥�
Moran says the most valuable thing she learned was how to deal with all types of people on the phone and in person.
鈥淚 look forward to putting my newly-acquired skill to work at my new job at La Cache on Fifth Street,鈥� she said.
WorldHost certification training is $85 for Chamber members or $90 for non-members. Seating is limited. Advance registration is required.
For more information call the chamber at 250-334-3234.
