The Managing Directors/CEO’s/Directors/Partners/General Managers
All FHRAI Members
CC: All Members of the Executive Committee
All Regional Associations
President FHRAI
Subject: Collaborative Efforts to Strengthen Hospitality Education and Workforce Management
Dear Member,
The hospitality industry, a vital contributor to employment and India’s economic development, faces pressing challenges that demand immediate and coordinated attention. Issues such as skill gaps, declining enrolments in hospitality programs, outdated training methodologies, and workforce retention problems have emerged as significant barriers to the industry’s growth and competitiveness.
Recognizing these challenges, the FHRAI Centre of Excellence (CoE) recently organized a HR Summit to engage academia, industry leaders, and policymakers in meaningful dialogue. The summit emphasized the urgent need for actionable strategies to address systemic gaps in education and workforce management, aligned with the evolving demands of the industry. We are pleased to share that the CoE has incorporated these suggestions into a report in the form of recommendations.
Some of the Key Recommendations:
- Offering planned career paths and establishing fair human resource policies - There is immediate need to establish transparent hiring and promotion policies, and create opportunities for higher education or specialized certifications to ensure career progression and growth opportunities for employees. The effective communication of career development and growth opportunities to professionals shall make them feel associated with the organization and decrease attrition.
- Implementation of employee retention programmes - by adopting shift-based scheduling, supporting flexible work arrangements (e.g. shift swaps, compressed workweeks) and promoting realistic workload management to avoid long working hours, reduce burnouts and promoting better work-life balance.
- Proper nurturing and handholding of the fresh graduates and young professionals - by providing structured support and guidance to facilitate their successful transition into the hospitality industry.
- Attracting students from tier 2 and tier 3 cities and encourage female participation - With the help of professional career counsellors, industry should engage with educational institutions and conduct focused campaigns in tier 2 and tier 3 cities by showcasing career opportunities in hospitality. There should be strategies to attract more female professionals into the industry.
You may access the detailed report from the HR Summit from the below link.
Additionally, pleased to share the FHRAI CoE prepared report on ‘Future of Hospitality: Challenges, Skill Shortages and Solutions’, released during the HR Summit. Please see the link below to access the report.
We strongly believe that these recommendations, if implemented, will facilitate India’s hospitality industry towards sustainable growth and global competitiveness. The FHRAI CoE calls upon its esteemed stakeholders to champion these initiatives and collaborate to ensure their execution as well. Your role as an industry leader is pivotal in driving these transformative changes. We invite you to join hands with us in advocating for these recommendations and working towards a more vibrant and resilient hospitality ecosystem.
We look forward to your valuable insights. Together, we can shape the future of hospitality in India.
Warm regards,
Jaison Chacko
Secretary General
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The Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India
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