Hospitality Industry Throws Open Doors to Essential Skills Training – Case Study [Video]
In the past, Canada’s hospitality industry traditionally focused training on management positions so that a well-skilled manager could then adequately model, mentor and train employees for junior positions. Junior positions were commonly recognized to be low-wage and low-status, with little opportunity for advancement, and the training offered for these positions focused mainly on operations with essential skills either implied or expected.
Today, this is changing - the reasons are many but the results are all positive.
At a time of explosive growth in the industry a significant number of hospitality workers, many of whom are immigrants and newcomers, are set to retire in the next five to 10 years. Meanwhile hospitality sector job descriptions are changing rapidly, resulting in an unprecedented demand on essential skills. Today’s modern hotels, for example, require servers with computer skills to input orders, house cleaning staff with the ability to read and fill out documents, and kitchen staff who can communicate clearly and quickly.
The need for essential skills training for hospitality workers has never been greater and two hotels are getting high ratings - the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto, ON and Inn at Laurel Point in Victoria, BC – for making essential skills a central part of their training and recruitment initiatives.
The Fairmont Royal York, Toronto, Ontario
The Fairmont Royal York continues to epitomize gracious hospitality as one of the most luxurious hotels in Toronto. Although the years have brought changes, the magnificent hand-painted ceilings, travertine pillars, ornate furnishings, crystal chandeliers and wall hangings are still intact. The Fairmont Royal York joined forces with UNITE HERE Local 75 (the union for hotel and hospitality workers in the Greater Toronto Area) to establish the Learn Program, a partnership-based, sector-wide approach to workplace training. Find out more about Fairmont Royal York's workplace training program.
Inn At Laurel Point, Victoria, British Columbia
Positioned near the entrance to Victoria's Inner Harbour, Inn at Laurel Point is a natural welcoming spot. Its spectacular harbour views can be enjoyed by tourists and business travelers alike. Inn at Laurel Point training was made possible through their participation in the SkillsPlus program, offered by the READ Society through a partnership with the Community Social Planning Council and Bridges for Women Society. The hotel is one of 16 Greater Victoria companies benefiting from SkillsPlus, which saw more than 200 people receive workplace training. Find out more about Inn at Laurel Point's workplace training program.
