On the job (part #2)

So what’s a newly schooled Butler to do? And, more to the point, what’s an employer to do when giving a position to an untested, straight out of college individual?

Here’s an idea - what if the School followed through. In other words if the school, having taught the basics, and hopefully much more, to the student then placed that person in a private household and followed through by going, with the graduate, into that household - setting standards, creating duty/task lists and ensuring that the individual was up for the job. It shouldn’t take more than a day or three.

Every household being different this seems like a good idea to me. Good for the client, good for the Butler/House Manager - a good thing all round. For an experienced House Manager (i.e. the Trainer) to work/walk through the day to day tasks and duties that the newly appointed person will face would be a sensible way to bridge the gap between theory and reality.

The problem lies in the fact that there are relatively few large households these days (compared to the Victorian and Edwardian eras) with very large household brigades through which a novice Butler (i.e. Footman) could learn his trade and progress. I do occasionally come across an ad on an Agencies page for an Assistant Butler but not often.

I’m pleased to say that there are some (but not many) Domestic Staff agencies that do this e.g. Precise Home Management - I’m sure there are others too that I don’t know about - but they are in the minority.

Similarly the only Butler School that I know of that follows through in this way is Rick Fink’s Butler/Valet School in the UK.

Steven Ferry of the International Institute of Modern Butlers advocates a form of internship where a newly trained Butler accepts a lower salary to get a years experience in a fine home under his belt, working under a seasoned professional. A\ great idea and the client benefits too getting a second pair of hands at a lower rate of pay for a year. Next year, when the current intern moves on, they take on another school graduate - a kind of Butler fostering!

Yes you Mr ?

It seems to me that too many so called Butler Schools are charging a large amount of money for a 6/8/12 week course with the ‘promise’ of a well paid job at the end of said course. This can often end in tears and frustration.

On the job training

I’ve been known to question the effectiveness of some Butler Schools in preparing a student for the reality of working in a client’s home(s).

Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for education. But when a student who has just completed, say, a cookery course at catering college does he move straight into a Head Chef position? No he/she doesn’t!

What will happen is that he will join a kitchen brigade as a ‘commis’ and learn the ropes in a real working environment and, as more experience and knowledge is gained, will move up the ‘food chain’. If promotion is slow in coming then he’ll apply for a better position in another kitchen or just move to another kitchen in the same position but where the standards and reputation are higher.

Gordon Ramsay was a ‘commis’ chef once. Hard to believe but he was screamed at, sworn at and told he was useless. Now whether you agree with that style of on the job training or not it certainly worked for him. It didn’t hurt that he had a good ‘grounding’ from catering school and was motivated, talented and willing to learn.

Hell's Kitchen

In this way cooks find out if they have what it takes to become chefs or even Michelin star chefs - people find their level. A Head Chef in a small Bistro may not be a patch on Ramsay but he’s a good chef, he’s found his level and niche and when he moves jobs it will have more to do with salary than gaining more experience.

So what about Butlers? (more later…..)

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