Hospo KickStart – Practical Hospitality Training for High School Students
Hospo KickStart is a schools engagement programme designed to introduce high school students to hospitality as a viable and rewarding career pathway. It is currently based in Auckland, with a schools roadshow now available to bring the programme directly to classrooms accross New Zealand (see below).
Who Hospo KickStart Is For
Hospo KickStart is suitable for schools that:
- Don’t currently have access to hospitality facilities within the school, or
- Want industry-led training to complement their existing hospitality curriculum
The programme is tailored to be engaging and relevant, boosting confidence and competence in young trainees and paving a pathway to a career in hospitality.
Students are exposed to terminology and systems currently used in hospitality in Auckland, so they can walk into a hospitality business, understand what they’re seeing and hearing, and feel genuinely connected to it — giving them an advantage over theory-only trainees. Hospitality is a fun, vibrant, creative, hands-on industry that continues to attract school leavers and students, thanks in part to the flexibility of shifts that can fit around further education.
Programme Options
We offer two Hospo KickStart programme options for Auckland high school students, each designed to deliver entry-level skills in a fun, engaging way — ensuring students learn relevant, up-to-date skills that set them up for an excellent start in the industry while building their confidence.
Short & Sharp Holiday Programme (2.5 days)
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Day/Time | 9am–3pm (Day 1 & 2), 9am–12pm (Day 3) |
| Price | $350 + GST per student |
| Minimum | 20 students |
Perfect for students looking to build confidence and gain real hospitality experience. The course includes:
- Front of House & Barista – Fundamentals of customer service, barista skills, and front-of-house operations, including making coffee, carrying plates, setting tables, and delivering great service in a fast-paced environment.
- Culinary 101 & Back of House Skills – Essential kitchen skills including food preparation, basic cooking techniques, and kitchen safety, with hands-on experience prepping, plating, and working efficiently as part of a kitchen team.
- Employability & Interview Skills – Employer expectations, interview preparation, and practice answering interview questions, building the confidence to approach employers and take a proactive role in job seeking.
This programme can be booked directly by parents — it doesn’t need to go through the school.
Hospitality Foundations (1 day)
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Day/Time | Mondays during term, 9am–3pm |
| Price | $140 + GST per student |
| Minimum | 20 students |
A hands-on taster course introducing high school students to the dynamic world of hospitality through practical training and industry insights. Students will:
- Build kitchen and barista skills, including pasta making, sauce preparation, and coffee crafting
- Develop front-of-house skills such as plate carrying and customer service
- Explore hospitality career pathways through a fun, interactive “hospo roles” game
- Finish the day focused on employability and interview skills
Lunch — prepared by the students themselves — is a delicious and rewarding highlight of the day.
Schools Roadshow
We’re now taking the Hospo KickStart programme on the road. Our Schools Roadshow brings classroom presentations and hands-on activities directly to your school, making it easy to introduce students to hospitality as a career pathway without needing to travel to us.
The roadshow is a great option for schools that want a taste of Hospo KickStart before committing to a full programme, or for schools outside Auckland who’d otherwise miss out.
To find out more or book a roadshow visit, call us on 0800 737 827 or email [email protected]
Get in Touch
Interested in enrolling your students in a Hospo KickStart course, or booking a Schools Roadshow visit?
Call us today on 0800 737 827 or email [email protected]