Quality of Instruction

Starkey's Quality EducationOver many years Starkey has learned what it takes to actually put together a high quality of Private Service education.  It’s a grand puzzle.   Educators must have a high level of service management in their backgrounds and have specialized and proven abilities in at least three of the primary areas of service including: Administration, Housekeeping, Culinary, Clothing, Entertaining and Personal Care.  In addition, there must be adjunct educators in Property and Grounds, Maintenance, Transportation and Travel, and Safety and Protection.  Starkey has chosen two 30 year veteran service experts to lead its educational programs, including one with diplomatic presidential household and culinary service in their background and the other with a five star housekeeping and personal care expertise.  In addition, we have identified twenty adjunct educators and presenters to complete our curriculum of experts.  Our full time Personal Statement educator has a Master’s Degree in Industrial /Organizational Psychology and Career Counseling.  The facility must be appropriate for Private Service; our culinary support, classrooms, and computers must support the students.  The financing must be in place to serve our potential students, and our educational text books and service management tools must be seasoned and correct.   Our residential housing must support the student’s quality of life so that they might succeed.  Finally, our availability of positions and the type of positions must be appropriate for our level and the ability of our Graduates, both new and seasoned.  Our placements must be successful, fulfilling, and long lasting!   It has only taken us 30 years to get it right!

New Milestone in Private Service

The Relationship of ServiceService Management as a career path has entered a wider and more sophisticated range of possibilities in recent years.  From an educational perspective, many within the hospitality and hotel sector have voiced that “we have created the best of the best in physical environments, but only have begun to broach the real education of our service providers.”   We have reached the ceiling in our service management educational abilities, and are now seeking new, revolutionary educational offerings to teach us what “The Relationship of Service” really is.  What must be put into place to accomplish “Genuine Service Relationships” that will consistently meet and exceed the needs of our Guests?

Starkey’s cutting edge expertise is much needed throughout the Hospitality and Private Service industry.  Starkey’s new and highly progressive, 255-hour, 4 week Service Management Program focuses on sharing what Starkey has developed over the last thirty years with serving the High-Net Worth world and our seasoned Relationship of Service skill.  Service must become “Service as an Expertise”!  This is essential knowledge for all those seeking to make a difference in the hospitality profession and quickly rise to the top.  This is essential new knowledge for General Managers of Boutique Hotels and Private Clubs and for all those working directly with Guests, including Concierges in hotels and those within the growing Senior Service Residential Communities, and of course for technically centered Butlers who serve the high-net-worth.  This proven knowledge provides the missing service management expertise within the hospitality Profession.

Service Management Styles

Unique Service StyleAll Potential Students who are called to the Private Service Profession as a Career Path come with different skill sets and unique personalities appropriate for service.  As a result, Starkey developed an innovative process called the Personal Statement Exercise, now included in each of our in-house course curriculum to help Students identify their individual “Service Style.”  This in-depth process contains a variety of personality assessments, technical skill indicators (including Starkey’s Technical Skills Qualifier), classroom exercises with peers, introspective writing, several interactions with our placement team, and exercises in improving interviewing skills.   At the end of the Personal Statement Exercise you will know your Style of Service and the most appropriate position for you.  You might begin the process of identifying your Service Style by asking yourself the following questions:

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Unparalleled in Service Management

Starkey is a 30 year, world recognized brand known for our commitment to excellence and survival in our changing economy to provide a sophisticated education in the management, technical skills, and the placement of our 1,300 Graduates in private homes.  Starkey has always made meeting the expectations of the High-Net-Worth Employer our first objective.

Our full, 360 credit hour, eight week Household Management Program opens doors to those seeking to enter the unique world of Service Management in Private Service.  Starkey takes each student, provides a high quality of Household Service Education, and positions them to succeed.

  • We teach how to identify specific service expectations, customize, and set up a Service Management Plan in any Service Environment.
  • We position each student to fully understand themselves and how to succeed in the overall Service Management community in our Personal Statement Exercise.
  • We have developed and internationally patented multiple Service Management Tools unique to Private Service to bring a real management expertise to our Students and our Employer Clientele. (more…)

What We Look for in Potential Students

Starkey Potential StudentOur Admissions Department, led by one of our own Graduates, helps define career paths on a daily basis.  We are not for everyone seeking to enter the Private Service Profession.  Our standards are high; we believe: “When you succeed, Starkey succeeds, and when Starkey succeeds, so do our Graduates.”  Our Admissions Coordinator has a criminal justice background and works to assure that those that come to Starkey are serious students with a heart to serve.   Starkey seeks potential students who have a minimum of an AA Degree, are at least 26 years old, are leaders who possess a service heart, who bring to the table “real management” abilities, are computer savvy, and have multiple styles of communication and organizational abilities that meet the varied needs of our clientele.

All of our Graduates are expected to be able to manage other staff, be hands-on with the appropriate technical skills, have the right etiquette, and demonstrate people savvy and mature behavior to succeed in a variety of Private Service environments.  We hold your hand and help you to specifically define your individual career path, and to know that you are right for Service.

Dress Code for Starkey Students

Certified Household Managers Four and Eight Week Participants

As much as possible, we try to relate your dress code to actual job situations in Household Management.  Occasionally persons relax this dress code once placed and quickly begin to lose their professional edge.  Begin to practice the discipline now.

Below is the required clothing you will need while attending the Starkey International Institute for Household Management.

Daily Class Attire

Gentlemen:

  • Slacks – Khaki (suggest a minimum of 3)
  • Shirt – Long sleeved white straight-collared shirt is mandatory (no Oxford shirts with button down collars)
  • Shirt (Daily Graces) – Short Sleeved white polo style shirt (suggest a minimum of 2)
    • No patterns or designs
    • A small logo over the left or right upper area is acceptable
    • This is worn with khaki slacks
  • Neckwear – Conservative necktie
  • Blazer – Solid navy blue
  • Shoes – Brown (must be able to polish)
    • Please note: All shoes must be non-scuff and have soft soles.
      • The intent is to create as little noise as possible while walking on hardwood floors or during serving at formal dinner exercises
  • Belts – Brown
  • 8 week students – Plain white Chef’s jacket (more…)

Starkey International Enrollment

The Starkey MansionPotential student applicants are encouraged to visit the Starkey International Institute at the Starkey Mansion and meet with the Admissions Director, Education Director, and Placement Team, as well as visit a class in session. During on-site interviews, the applicant is provided a mansion tour and is invited to talk with current students and graduates.

Potential students are encouraged to apply to the Starkey International Institute well in advance of class start date to secure a place. Private Service is a world recognized career path and classes fill up quickly due to limited size. Waiting lists are maintained for future classes. Note: On-site housing at the Starkey Mansion is available on a first-come, first-served basis. A non-refundable fee for Mansion housing is required.

All applicants must complete the following:

1. An on-site or telephone interview with the Starkey Institute Admissions department.

2. An on-site or telephone interview with the Starkey Institute Placement department when applicable.

3. Applicants must complete an Admissions Package. Upon acceptance into the program, a Student Expectations and Guidelines Handbook will be sent which provides the Starkey Vision and Code of Ethics, Personal Image of the Private Service Manager, general procedures, confidentiality agreements and leisure time activity locations, student counseling, grading, airport services, banking and other information pertinent to attending the Institute.

The Institute does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, religion, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin. For further information, please call our Admissions Office at 303-832-5510.

Payment of Tuition

Flower ArrangementWe will make every effort to support you in obtaining the necessary funds to receive training for your career choice in Private Service Management. Each student should plan to put away at least three months’ living allowance to accommodate eight-week programs and at least two month’s allowance to accommodate four-week programs. Full curriculum tuition and Starkey residential on-site housing costs are due and payable 21 business days prior to the start date. When students reserve a place to live onsite at the Starkey Mansion, the fee for this housing is not refundable. Refund Policy for tuition is state-regulated and listed later in this catalog. 

There are three basic ways a student may pay for their educational expenses:

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Government Programs: Grants/Scholarships

Students may be eligible for financial assistance through Unemployment Benefits or Vocational Rehabilitation. Students may also be eligible for funding under the G.I. Bill through Veterans’ Affairs Program. The Colorado State Approving Agency approves Starkey International for Veterans Education and Training.

Housing, Food, Transportation and Attire

Housing considerations are made separately from enrollment decisions. The Denver-based Starkey Mansion is a 1901 Historic Georgian residence. Spacious bedrooms occupy the second floor of the Mansion and have built-in closets and well-appointed baths. These beautiful suites are available to ten live-in students on a first-come, first-served basis. For off-site housing please contact the Admissions Department for suggestions. Students interested in living at the Mansion should reserve space by remitting a non-refundable deposit well in advance of expected class start date. As a part of the educational experience, all students are expected to participate in the preparation of meals and the care of the house on a rotating schedule.

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Safety

Household ManagerThe Starkey Mansion is located in the center of Denver, Colorado, just one block from Colorado’s State Capitol building. Architecturally the Mansion is very secure, which is enhanced by our security alarm system. Individual keys are provided to each student. Security codes and procedures will be discussed with the students upon arrival at the Institute. Safe working practices are stressed from the first day of school and throughout the entire program. First aid kits, carbon monoxide detector, fire extinguishers, and hardwired smoke detector alarms are located throughout the Mansion. Exits and evacuation procedures are discussed on the first day of class and are posted in the Mansion. The Mansion is a non-smoking environment.

Counseling

Students are encouraged to talk with the Director of Education or other members of the educational staff about any concerns while at the Institute. Starkey is committed to our students, and to their success. Our staff will listen and work to help you resolve any challenges that may be interfering with your training.