This year I underwent the training at The
International Butler Academy in Warnsveld. A training
for people who are driven and who wish to enter the butling
field. Prior to beginning the training, I sat down and read
all the reference letters on the website. Every single one.
From these letters it was clear that this was no easy
training. I understood that you would have to invest a great
deal in yourself and, therefore, you would have to put two
months of your time aside in order to do this.
Having completed the training, I can
totally confirm this. The training fulfilled my expectations
to the very detail. Irrespective of your background, you
learn from scratch to build and develop the tools of the
trade. Every one of the subjects are without exception
applicable in your (new) future life. The lessons of
Etiquette and Protocol guide and assist you excellently on
your way.
Security and First Aid are indispensable
while Management and Systems are extremely valuable. You
learn the real meaning of working together. Sometimes it
helps when a colleague student disagrees with you but then
at the same time gives his hand in helping to resolve the
situation together. You even get to be Head Butler for a
whole week, Assistant Head Butler another week and you are
able to see the practical side of the training in the
capacity of assistant Class Guardian.
For two months you are part of a
"role-play". It takes a while to get used to this but
you realise soon enough during the training that this is
invaluable. All the students are self-willed and head
strong, proud and at the same time humble.
You need to have nerve and daring to do
the training. I can recommend it to each and every one of
you. The team-building day was for me the most difficult
day. I was most concerned about it. However, my concern was
not at all justified. It was a wonderfully enjoyable day and
I even did most of the obstacles. This is due to the fact
that you never stand alone but are assisted by your
colleague students. They give you the wings you did not know
you had.
My greatest achievement was that I
learned to understand how beautiful it is to be a butler and
how special this field of work is. If someone asks me now
what it is I do, I say with great pride that I am a butler.
Now it is your turn to take part in this magnificent
training. I wish you all success.
Marc van
Bergen
Passed with Distinction, April 2007