HRAWI Forms Special Task Force to Tackle Hospitality Industry Talent Shortage

In the wake of the pandemic's effects on the hospitality sector, although there's been a slow resurgence, the industry still grapples with issues concerning workforce management.

The period following the pandemic has exposed the industry's weaknesses, prompting individuals, including students and professionals, to explore different career avenues.

Between 2019 and 2022, there was a significant drop in student admissions for hospitality programs.

In response, the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) has established a specialized task force consisting of educational experts.

Their aim is to mitigate the shortage in skilled professionals, workforce, and the decreasing number of students opting for hospitality courses.
 

The task force is composed of notable figures in the hospitality industry, including leaders from various Institutes of Hotel Management (IHMs), proprietors of hospitality establishments, experienced professionals, and representatives from the HRAWI.

The core team of this special task force currently consists of individuals such as Arun Kumar Singh, Principal of FIHM; Irfan Mirza, Principal of V M Salgaonkar IHM; Ms Pallavi Chaudhari, Director of D.Y. Patil School of Hospitality & Tourism Studies; Dr Rohan Soni, Principal of Amro College of Hotel Management, Nashik; Dr Jagat K. Mangaraj, Principal of IHM Ahmedabad; Pradeep Shetty, President of HRAWI; Jimmy Shaw, Honorary Secretary of HRAWI; Vishal Kapoor, General Manager of Radisson Blu Mumbai; Kamlesh Barot, Ex-officio Member of HRAWI; and Sandeep Talaulicar, Executive Committee Member of HRAWI.
 

"As fresh opportunities continue to emerge, the sector is recognizing the necessity of drawing in new talent. In response, HRAWI has established a specialized task force with three primary aims. These encompass creating an appealing framework or strategy to entice students towards pursuing a career in hospitality. It involves revaluating the current hospitality education system and syllabus through the participation of educators and industry experts, in order to offer relevant recommendations to the National Council and the Ministry of Tourism. Furthermore, the task force intends to counter the scarcity of skilled individuals among its members by providing effective training resources, including informative videos, visual aids, data-driven analysis, and supportive literature," explains Pradeep Shetty, President of HRAWI.

Statistics highlight substantial skill disparities within the Indian hospitality industry, specifically concerning hotel management and food production.

Deficiencies in practical knowledge (33 percent) and the presence of obsolete courses (24 percent) are notable concerns within the food production field.

Likewise, managerial personnel encounter difficulties due to insufficient practical understanding (43 percent) and the prevalence of outdated courses (29 percent).

Front office managers, their assistants, bell captains, bell boys, and travel desk staff exhibit deficiencies in critical proficiencies like effective communication, attentive listening, proficient handling of billing software, adept team management, and comprehensive comprehension of service provisions.

As per experts within the field, the scarcity of talent is notably conspicuous within specific job positions.

Skilled chefs and proficient food and beverage managers are in high demand, yet locating them presents a challenge.

Similarly, roles within the front office and housekeeping sectors struggle to attract suitably qualified candidates.

Acknowledging the necessity to tackle this concern, HRAWI is actively in pursuit of experienced chefs to join their ranks and contribute to the instruction and training of aspiring hospitality professionals.

Additionally, HRAWI plans to release a comprehensive report that evaluates various facets of contemporary hospitality education, proposing solutions to enhance the quality and efficacy of academic curriculum.

The association is also optimistic that the industry's increased revenues in the aftermath of the pandemic will aid in achieving this objective.