Fred’s Ranch School of Hospitality is a learning institution under the Fred’s Ranch brand that focuses on the training of industry professionals. The school offers training to individuals looking to venture into hospitality as well as professionals looking to to improve their skills and polish their knowledge.
According to the college website, the faculty is specially chosen from various 5-star Institutions in the Industry both from within and outside the country, as well as Small and Medium Size establishments, to ensure that the learners get a touch of international excellence and local flavor, as they go through their academic paces.
At Fred’s Ranch School of Hospitality, the learning experience involves several industry visits to restaurants, hotels and tourism destinations across the country to enable students appreciate the entire tourism industry at all levels.
Courses
Fred’s Ranch School of Hospitality offers the following courses as researched and compiled by WoK.;
- Diploma in Food Production – The course takes a period of 2 years and costs Ksh55,000 per semester. The minimum requirement for admission to this course is a KCSE mean grade of D+
- Diploma in Food & Beverage Service Sales – Takes a period of 2 years and costs Ksh55,000 per semester. The minimum requirement for admission to this course is a KCSE mean grade of D+
- Diploma, Front Office – The course takes a duration of 2 years and costs Ksh50,000 per semester. Minimum grade for qualification is a C- in KCSE.
- Certificate in Food Production – The course takes a period of 1 years and costs Ksh50,000 per semester. Minimum grade is a D+ in KCSE.
- Certificate in Food & Beverage Service Sales – Takes a period of 1 years and costs Ksh50,000 per semester. Minimum qualification grade is a D+ in KCSE.
Students are also required to pay a registration fee of Ksh1,000 and a caution fee of Ksh2,000 (one off, refundable). The training takes place on campus at the Fred’s Ranch School of Hospitality.
The institution also provides flexible learning hours to enable employed professionals looking to further their studies learn while adhering to their schedules.
“Barmen, Waiters, Chefs, Housekeepers and Supervisors can plug into the provided courses and our faculty has created dynamic learning schedules that suit their working hours,” the institution’s website states.
Learning Experiences
Students at the institutions are put through theory classes delivered by faculty daily, Practical Cooking sessions in the school training kitchen for Food Production Students (Chefs), and Practical Service sessions in the Demonstration Restaurant for F&B Service students.
They are also exposed to specific functions at Fred’s Ranch & Resort on a weekly basis (for level 2 students), One-on-one Mentorship Sessions with faculty on a weekly basis, and one Industry visit each month which comprises of a visit to an established hotel within Nairobi.
Fred’s Ranch School of Hospitalit also offers the students one overnight Industry visit each semester outside Nairobi City. It also invited Speakers from the Hotel Industry to mentor the leaners twice a month.
The students are subjected to Continuous Assessment Tests twice each semester and the Final Examination with City and Guild Certification at the end of each course.
They are also offered certified first aid training
Full time students are also offered two bonus units per year.
Management
Uncle Obachi’s son, Victor Keari Machoka is the institution’s Managing Director. He oversees all the operations of the ranch. Victor is a hotelier by profession with over 15years of experience. He holds a degree in Hotel and Tourism management and is currently pursuing a Masters in International Relations.
Other senior officials at the institution include; Lawrence Agufa (advisory board member), Elsie Jelagat (school administrator), and David Watila (head of department of accommodation operation studies).