Additional Information
Formal education is not always a prerequisite to finding a job as a butler.
But it certainly helps, especially if the butler has attended a well-known
school. Some butlers, like hotel butler Tim McDonald, had no formal schooling
but apprenticed under a head butler for several months.
McDonald says his experience is much more extensive than what many would
expect from a standard hotel butler. In the past, most butlers learned through
apprenticing.
However, he adds that there are some well-known schools that provide butler
training today. Butler training is often quite expensive, so be sure to check
out the school's qualifications before enrolling.
Most butler schools offer a relatively short program, often six or eight
weeks in length, but with a very demanding schedule.
The International Butler Academy's classes are eight weeks long and run
from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. each day. Robert Wennekes is chair of the International
Guild of Professional Butlers. He recommends checking out the school's instructors
thoroughly before you apply to make sure they have the butler experience required
to teach others.