Labour Shortage Being Addressed by Industry Org

MEDIA RELEASE

6 March 2007

Labour Shortage Being Addressed by Industry Organisation

In response to a chronic shortage of staff in the hotel and hospitality sector the New Zealand Hotel Council (NZHC) has launched its own recruitment website www.hotelcareers.co.nz.

NZHC Chief Executive Officer Mark Oldershaw states that the website is the only recruitment site in New Zealand dedicated exclusively to the hotel sector. “The aim is to ultimately create a ‘one stop shop’ for prospective employees in the hotel industry. We have been struggling for some time to attract and retain a regular stream of employees that see hospitality as a long term career option. One of our biggest challenges is to show that there is such a thing as a structured career path in the hotel industry and that it is a viable career option” said Mr Oldershaw

Hotelcareers.co.nz was launched this week and already has close to 100 vacancies listed. “These positions range widely in terms of experience and qualifications required” said Mr Oldershaw. “It is interesting to see that chefs for example are in constant demand from some of our top hotels throughout the country.”

NZHC intends to align its recruitment site alongside a number of major training institutions throughout New Zealand and the rest of the world to ensue that New Zealand remains on the map for people entering the tourism and hospitality industry.

“The hotel sector is a labour intensive industry that is absolutely ‘service-driven’ in every sense. In order to maintain New Zealand’s position as a premium tourism destination we need to ensure that we continue to attract the very best people. Without a doubt this is getting tougher and not necessarily something that is unique to the tourism or hotel sector. Our challenge however is to make sure that it does not hold us back in terms of developing our product or keeping pace with what is going on in other parts of the world in the tourism related service industries” Mr Oldershaw said.

“We need to be seen to be taking ownership of our own issues. This is one of many initiatives that NZHC will be launching this year to addresses the labour shortage issues in the hotel sector.”

“The hotel industry offers a number of unique opportunities that are not available in other sectors such as the ability to work and live in some of the world’s top destinations. The experiences gained in this type of employment can be phenomenal and can really enhance a person’s career development. I strongly encourage graduates to take these opportunities – so long as they eventually settle back home in New Zealand!” said Mr Oldershaw

ENDS

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