The hotel sector is slowly beginning to recover from the effects of the pandemic, but in the middle of this recovery, a huge obstacle has emerged: the efficient use of human resources. The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) has taken preventative steps in order to handle this important problem. One of these measures is the development of a special task force, which will be supervising by academic professionals. In order to address this significant problem, HRAWI has taken preventative measures. This strategic endeavor’s principal goal is to solve the present scarcity of talent, reverse the drop in student enrollments, and ameliorate the prevalent personnel difficulties that are harming hospitality courses.
HRAWI Combining Knowledge and Establishing the Working Group
The participation of notable people from the hotel industry in a task team that worked together to develop this ground-breaking strategy is essential to its success. This group is made up of hospitality industry veterans, directors of academic institutes representing a range of IHMs, industry executives with years of experience, and notable members of HRAWI.
Arun Kumar Singh, the Principal of FIHM, Irfan Mirza, the Leader of V M Salgaonkar IHM, Pallavi Chaudhari, the Director of D.Y. Patil School of Hospitality & Tourism Studies, Dr. Rohan Soni, the Principal of Amro College of Hotel Management in Nashik, and Dr. Jagat K. Mangaraj, the Principal of IHM Ahmedabad, are all contributing luminaries to this endeavor.
In addition, influential individuals like Pradeep Shetty, the President of HRAWI, Jimmy Shaw, the Honorary Secretary of HRAWI, Vishal Kapoor, the General Manager of the Radisson Blu Mumbai, Kamlesh Barot, an Ex-officio Member of HRAWI, and Sandeep Talaulicar, an Executive Committee Member of HRAWI, contribute their collective insights and areas of expertise to help shape this pioneering initiative.
The Strategy of HRAWI is Based on a Comprehensive Approach to Strengthening Talent
The President of HRAWI, Pradeep Shetty, elucidates the mandate of the specialized task force in an understandable manner. The first component of this strategy approach is the development of tactics to increase the allure of jobs in the hospitality industry, particularly in light of the expanding number of options. The second component is a revision of the preexisting hospitality education system as well as the curriculum, which will be accomplished through a collaborative cooperation with teachers and professionals from the sector.
The National Council and the Ministry of Tourism will benefit from the combined efforts of the task group since it will provide thorough recommendations for them. The provision of strong support systems to HRAWI members is the primary emphasis of the third pillar of the organization. The task force will make use of educational films, smart infographics, data-driven analysis, and relevant literature in order to overcome the talent gap and nurture a more competent workforce.
Identifying Competency Shortfalls and Obstacles
When data-backed insights unveil, it becomes evident that the Indian hospitality industry is grappling with significant skill shortages, particularly in hotel management and food production. This situation extends across various sectors within the hospitality domain. Notably, the challenges within the food production industry can be summarizing as a lack of practical knowledge (33%) and the presence of outdated courses (24%). A similar situation is observed among management personnel, where a scarcity of practical expertise (43%) and obsolete courses (29%) hinder progress. Furthermore, individuals in front desk roles, including front office managers, assistants, bell captains, bellboys, and travel desk staff, exhibit skill inadequacies. These deficiencies encompass a broad spectrum of crucial areas, including communication, active listening, proficiency with billing software, effective team management, and a comprehensive understanding of service offerings.
HRAWI Fostering Expertise and Proficient Performance While Fostering Collaboration
In light of the relevance of the talent shortage, HRAWI has begun an aggressive search for skilled cooks who are prepared to share their experiences and advice with those who are training to work in the hospitality industry. Students will be provided with crucial skills and the experiential wisdom that is necessary for success in the sector through this joint effort that strives to bridge the gap between industry professionals and the domain of education. Mid-level occupations have witnessed a generally balanced equilibrium between demand and supply of talent, in contrast to lower and higher level posts, which are experiencing a talent shortage that is most severe.
A Comprehensive Strategy for Overcoming the Shortage of Talent
Within the context of this dilemma, there are some jobs and positions that are more at risk than others due to the scarcity of talent. Even if there is a great need for highly experienced chefs and adept managers of food and beverage operations, it is difficult to find applicants who meet these requirements. In a similar vein, it might be challenging to recruit competent people for front office and cleaning positions.
As a direct reaction to this issue, HRAWI is making concerted efforts to acquire the services of seasoned chefs who will contribute their knowledge to the education and training of aspiring hospitality professionals. In order to illustrate HRAWI’s dedication to scholastic superiority, the organization intends to publish an exhaustive white paper. This document will provide a comprehensive analysis of the many facets of hospitality education. It’s along with actionable recommendations that are designing to improve the overall quality and effectiveness of educational programming.
In the Direction of a Promising Future: Visualizing Success
HRAWI holds a positive outlook regarding the potential outcomes that these initiatives can achieve, even in light of the substantial increase in post-pandemic revenues. The sector’s landscape is on the brink of transformation, courtesy of an influx of innovative perspectives, groundbreaking concepts, and highly refined skills. The association is determining to nurture talent through the implementation of rigorous training frameworks. This empowerment will equip the hospitality industry to overcome current challenges and thrive in the upcoming years. A consortium of academic thought leaders leads a special task force dedicated to bridging the talent gap. This commitment ensures a promising trajectory for both prospective students and the industry as a whole. According to Shetty’s findings, this forward-looking endeavor has the potential to usher in a successful and vibrant future.