I chose to attend the Jan-Feb 2015 session of the Charles McPherson Academy for Butlers and…read moreHousehold Managers because I knew there was quite a lot about private service I hadn't yet been exposed to or had the opportunity to master. I was returning to private service after 10 years away and wanted to be competitive as a candidate and exceptionally well-prepared as an employee. I researched several different academies in the US and found the Charles McPherson Academy to offer the curriculum, learning environment, schedule, value, and, most importantly, the reputation in the private service community that I was looking for.
As a graduate of the Academy, I received superb training in a wide range of skills pertinent to Household Managers (a.k.a. Butlers) and also tremendously valuable to Personal Assistants (my focus). The curriculum covers Household Management, Butler Skills, Etiquette & Protocol, Table Setting & Service, Valet Skills, Event Planning, Wardrobe Management, Laundry, Housekeeping, Household Mechanicals, Cigars, Coffee, Cooking, Wine, Champagne, Mixology, Security, and First Aid, all in 4 very full weeks in Toronto, Ontario.
Mr. MacPherson presented the Household Management topics and subject matter experts presented the other topics. The Academy staff were actively involved in each day's lessons. We were quizzed every morning on the previous day's lessons and corresponding sections of the textbook, which provided a timely gauge of how well we had learned the material. There was also a mid-term and a final exam. A fellow student and I met up for study sessions, which helped us both.
While attending the Academy, Mr. MacPherson helped me negotiate an offer from an outside recruiter to work as a Personal Assistant / Head of Domestic Staff, a position I would have felt unprepared for if it hadn't been for the Academy.
Since graduating, I have referred back to the training and the text book often for guidance on household matters. My fellow graduates and I keep in touch and look out for one another. Mr. MacPherson and the Academy staff are very supportive and assist with recruitment placements as well as work-related quandaries, which is invaluable. Of course, no one recruiter's net is large enough to catch all of the job opportunities, so it's still important to work with multiple recruiters.
I am proud to be an alumna of the Charles McPherson Academy and believe attending has been an extremely valuable investment in my career and my professional network. I highly recommend the Academy and am happy to try to answer any questions you may have.
Heather Higgins
heather@heatherhiggins.com