Importance of employability in the hospitality trade
View(s):The tourism industry both locally and internationally is a fast growing field with ample employment opportunities for many in Sri Lanka. Potential employees to this highly competitive local or international field, must have the right knowledge along with a marketable skill set which allows them to gain entrance into the sector, according to TRAc International, a training company specializing in Sri Lanka’s hospitality industry.
However Sri Lanka, it points out seems to be falling short of this mark according to a World Bank report on ‘Developing Students with Practical Skills for Employability and Competitiveness’ which goes on to state that the country is not producing a sufficient number of graduates with holistic skills; an attribute which is one of the primary requirements of most employers.
In a media release, TRAc International says it is focusing on this aspect aiming to improve the skill levels of entrants and those currently within the hospitality sector giving them the advantage they need to have a competitive edge in the global arena.
TRAc says it has employed a highly skilled team of foreign and local trainers who provide professional training to employees in hotels, guest houses and villas with a curriculum put together after considerable research on employers needs and gaps with current staffing levels. This includes employability policies which combine training, further training, re-training, career advice, placement and incentives/subsidising programmes. TRAc places a special importance on three major areas of employability; these areas include access to permanent employment, advancement within current employment and sustainable employment. The company also looks into the needs of a vulnerable group who are the non-permanent workers by providing career and skill development which gives them the opportunity to move into the permanent employment cadre.
Speaking on the importance of employability in the sector the CEO of TRAc, Natasha Bergenvik said “We want to emphasize the need for marketable skills within the hospitality industry as many hotels in Sri Lanka and overseas are increasingly getting disheartened with graduates not having the right skills or necessary qualifications. Today employers expect something more than theoretical knowledge. Practical work related skills is also required and acquiring soft skill competencies has become increasingly important and relevant in a competitive recruitment marketplace”.
The training courses offered by TRAc include Refresher Training and Vocational Training. Refresher Training concentrates on working with various clients in the hospitality sector on personalised courses based on needs of the establishment. Vocational Training focuses on craft-level hospitality, which is food and beverage, restaurant service, bar, front office and housekeeping as well as an English, customer service and communication course written specifically for the hospitality industry.