WORKFORCE

Oregon Hospitality Foundation partners with the industry to provide workforce solutions.

Workforce shortages continue to be cited by restaurant and lodging employers as the number one issue now facing businesses. Many industry partners say recruiting was tough even pre-pandemic and now the challenge is even greater. How can Oregon’s hospitality industry hope to address these ongoing shortages? The Oregon Hospitality Foundation has collected helpful resources from our partners in the state as well as our national affiliates to assist. 

OHF Webinar on 5.25.21: "Accessing Resources to Help Support Your Workforce Needs"
The Oregon Hospitality Foundation partners with the American Hotel & Lodging Association Educational Institute to present internationally accredited and WIOA compliant certifications specific to those seeking entry-level employment as well as those seeking to up-skill and advance their careers. An in-person training program, using this curriculum, was recently piloted on the Oregon coast and an expansion is in works. 

We also support new online curriculum available through the National Restaurant Association called ServSuccess, which offers a pathway of competency-building programs from entry-level through management for roles in the restaurant industry.
RESOURCES

Worksource Oregon - a network of public and private partners who work together to stimulate job growth by connecting businesses and workers. Their resources include job boards, hiring fairs, and candidate screening. For eligible potential/current employees, they may also be able to access wrap-around services that include housing and transportation vouchers, training support, and counseling. These services are provided at no-cost to employer and employee. Results come from building a relationship with your local offices.

Guest Service Online Training - The foundation offers several courses, in English and with Spanish subtitles, that illustrate the principles of good customer service via video enactments that are supported by downloadable workbooks and worksheets. Guest Service Gold Tourism/Oregon participants earn an internationally accredited certification. Providing Service While Supporting Safety was created to address the specific challenges presented by the pandemic, such as mask requirements.

Line-level and advanced curriculum that leads to accredited industry credentials - These are great tools that are reasonably priced and easy to use. They can reduce the time needed to help onboard new recruits who lack experience, as well for cross-training and up-skilling those who are already on the job. Saves time and provides consistency.

National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF)
  • Apprenticeships - a powerful retention tool for helping current employees advance to management positions in your organization via the combination of work-based experience and the use of curriculum focused on up-skilling. NRAEF provides financial and administrative support, and access to training curriculum and tools. This program is administered in partnership with the American Hotel and Lodging Foundation.
  • Military - a potential source of employees and targeted strategies to reach them. These initiatives focus on those who are transitioning from military service and are seeking civilian careers. One program example is NRAEF’s assistance with getting your company and its opportunities listed on a national database that is targeted and promoted to military personnel. These types of transitions often include financial and  training support, as well as relocation benefits  from the government.
  • HOPES - a program designed to support those who are re-entering society and are seeking work, a population segment which has often been overlooked by our industry. Assistance for employers also includes a federally-funded bonding program.
 
American Hotel & Lodging Association Foundation
  • Apprenticeships - a powerful retention tool for helping current employees advance to management positions in your organization via the combination of work-based experience and the use of curriculum focused on up-skilling. AHLA provides financial and administrative support and currently is able to offer complimentary/reduced priced access to access to training curriculum and tools. This program is administered in partnership with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.
  • Scholarships - financial support for those seeking academic support to help them reach professional goals.
  • Best Practices, Hiring Campaign Models, and more – includes an overview of recruitment and retention tools.
PARTNERS
Best Practices in Workforce Retention
The Foundation commissioned OSU's Hospitality Program to conduct research to identify and highlight Oregon companies with innovative practices resulting in improved employee retention. View the series at: OregonRLA.org/WorkforcePractices
RESOURCES

- Explore Career Choices: World of Possibilities
- Accredited Guest Service Training Tools
- ProStart Culinary and Management Career Program
​- AHLA Foundation Workforce Programs
​- National Restaurant Association Workforce Programs
- Lodging Career Pathways
- Foodservice Career Pathways
- Accredited Frontline Training Tools
​​​- Lodging Supervisory/Specialty Position Training Tools
- Restaurant Specialty Training Tools
- Mandated Oregon Certification Training Tools
​- Conference session on Workforce Tips, Solutions, Initiatives (PDF)
​- Conference session on Pandemic Disruption (PDF)
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WORKFORCE RESEARCH & DATA

- Local Workforce Development Boards and Sector Partnerships 2021​
- Hospitality Industry Labor Shortage (OSU)
- Jobs Lost, Jobs Gained in Automation
​- Millennials in the Hotel Industry (AHLA/WageWatch)
- Next Generation of Restaurant Leaders
- US Restaurant Workforce
- Workforce Best Practices