Address the crisis in Jamaica’s hospitality workforce
Published:Monday | September 2, 2024 | 12:07 AM
THE EDITOR, Madam:
I write today out of deep concern for the future of Jamaica’s hospitality sector – a sector that is one of the cornerstones of our economy and national identity. We are facing a crisis that demands immediate and decisive action from our tourism leadership and all stakeholders involved.
As the owner of a small, independent property, I am witnessing first-hand the devastating impact of the acute shortage of adequately trained hospitality professionals. This is not a problem confined to smaller establishments; even our largest hotels, which have traditionally attracted the most skilled workers, are now struggling to retain staff. The situation is spiralling out of control as more of our best-trained workers leave for overseas opportunities, leaving our businesses – big and small – scrambling to find even minimally qualified employees.
Recently, I placed an ad for a chef, advertising for two days in a national newspaper, on a prominent Jamaican job website, several Facebook job groups, and to several other contacts in the industry. The response was nothing short of alarming – few applied, and those who did were grossly underqualified. This is a stark reflection of the larger issue plaguing our industry: a severe lack of training and development for the workforce we desperately need.
This is not just my story; it is the reality for many in our industry. And unless we act now, the consequences will be catastrophic. Our reputation as a world-class tourist destination is at stake. We cannot continue to rely on a few employers to shoulder the burden of training, only for their efforts to be undone when those workers leave for better opportunities abroad. This cycle is unsustainable and unfair.
I make a heartfelt plea to our tourism leadership, government agencies, educational institutions, and private sector partners: We must develop a comprehensive national strategy to invest in the training and development of our hospitality workforce. We need to ensure that every Jamaican employed in this sector is equipped to deliver the exceptional service that our guests expect and deserve. This is not just about keeping our businesses afloat; it’s about safeguarding the future of Jamaica’s economy.
The time for complacency is over. We must act with urgency and commitment, or we risk losing the very foundation upon which our tourism industry is built.
SHERRY WOODHOUSE