Workforce

WORKFORCE RESOURCES & DEVELOPMENT

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. To help Oregon’s hospitality industry address these ongoing shortages, the Oregon Hospitality Foundation has collected helpful resources from our partners in the state as well as our national affiliates.

Best Practices

My Hospitality Job

LOCAL WORKFORCE RESOURCES

Worksource Oregon is 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–provided at no-cost to employer and employee. Results come from building a relationship with your local offices.

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INDUSTRY PATHWAYS & TRAINING

ORLA & OHF RESOURCES

The Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association's Conference in September 2021 was focused on addressing our workforce shortage. The following presentations were made available to attendees:

The Oregon Hospitality Foundation hosted a webinar on 5.25.21: "Accessing Resources to Help Support Your Workforce Needs."

The Oregon Hospitality Foundation helped developed a training course that provides turn-key curriculum to minimize trainer preparation needs:

Guest Service Gold Training - The Oregon Hospitality 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.

INDUSTRY APPRENTICESHIPS, PROGRAMS, SCHOLARSHIPS

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.

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.
Line-level & Advanced Curriculum - these lead to accredited industry credentials and are great tools that 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.

USEFUL STATE WEBSITES:

PARTNERS

AHLEI

ProStart

ServSuccess

WORKFORCE RESOURCES & DEVELOPMENT

Membership

Resources

Affiliate Partners