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Student Resources

HELP (Hospitality Education Labor Program)

This exciting program has been well received by both industry and students alike. The following paragraphs explain how you many participate in and take advantage of HELP at IPFW.

Specifically, ten or so students enrolled in classes within the Hospitality and Tourism Management Program will rotate positions between ten operations across northeastern Indiana. Each of these students will spend a total of 100 hours in the jobs assigned to them by industry and agreed to by them. While some students may need training to come up to speed in a particular job assigned to them, training is on their own time and will not be counted against the 100 hours required of each student.

Each participating property makes a donation of $750 to the Indiana Purdue Foundation for every 100 hours of student's assistance desired (in effect paying $7.50 per hour). While the student is not paid, the Program does use the $750 to fund student travel to hotel and restaurant shows and educational tours around the country. THus, not only do students get the jobs they need and the experience they want, but industry receives good employees and are allowed to test each student prior to hiring him or her at an hourly wage or salary.

Because the students are enrolled at IPFW, insurance, benefits, etc. are covered by IPFW and/or by the student, or his/her family. As an enrolled student, the HELP participant is in industry for the experience and is motivated by the grade he or she will earn. Since all funds donated through HELP to our program are tax deductible, industry is helping the student while saving labor costs and receiving a tax deduction all at once.