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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.

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.