A Baltimore company is developing a customer service training program for hopeful workers who want a shot at one of the 1,700 anticipated casino jobs when the
Horseshoe Casino Baltimore opens next year.
Parkway Hospitality Management CEO Michael Haynie says he also plans to lease a 5,000-square-foot office in South Baltimore near the casino site once the state approves the Maryland Academy of Hospitality Training program. State approval should come any day and the business will be up and running May 1, Haynie says.
The former managing director of Baltimore’s Tremont hotels, Haynie says he discussed with
Visit Baltimore and Baltimore City officials about the lack of soft skills among local residents who will be applying for casino and other tourism jobs. Haynie says his long-term goal is to take the training program to other casinos in the state and develop more “hard skills” technical training in bartending and gaming. Horseshoe Casino General Manager Chad Barnhill says he has had discussions with Haynie and Baltimore City about how to find qualified casino employees, but he hasn't made any decisions.
Haynie says he hopes the academy will train 900 people a year to work either at the Caesars Entertainment casino in Baltimore or in other hospitality jobs in area restaurants and hotels. Classes will hold 30 to 40 people. Prospective trainees will be interviewed to make sure they possess the right personality for the industry and then go through a five-week program. Trainers will help them identify appropriate jobs in the casino, hotels and restaurants once they graduate.
State programs specifically earmarked for job training will hopefully help offset the $1,000 cost for the five-week training, Haynie says. He hopes to convince restaurant and hotel associations and their members to chip in as well. Students taking the class will pay $20 to $25 per week.
The two-story casino near M&T Bank Stadium will feature slot machines and table games.
Three full-service restaurants and six locally owned eateries are also in the works. Environmentalists and area residents filed a lawsuit against the casino last month to delay construction, but a
judge threw out the motion.
Haynie says he isn't concerned about these type of setbacks.
"Caesars is a very credible organization. Chad Barnhill is an experienced business person."
Writer: Julekha Dash
Source: Michael Haynie, Parkway Hospitality