TOURISM workers are to be
given computer memory sticks
advising them on their career options,
in an attempt to keep them
in the industry.
The sticks show workers the
qualifications they need to take
to reach their goals, as well as
which local colleges they can
take them at and what salary
they can expect to receive each
step of the way.
The scheme comes as some hotels
in the Tees Valley have reported
an 85 per cent turnover in
chefs and a 75 per cent turnover
in secretaries.
advertisement
VisitTeesvalley, which promotes
the Tees Valley to visitors
nationally and internationally, is
supporting the distribution of
the memory sticks in the North-
East. It hopes that, by demonstrating
the career paths available,
it will encourage skilled
people to stay in the service industries.
A breakfast event was held at
Wynyard Hall, near Stockton,
last week, where guest speakers
outlined the opportunities the
tourism economy holds for businesses
across the Tees Valley.
Speaking after the meeting,
Julia Frater, head of Visit-
TeesValley, which organised the
event, said there was little point
spending money encouraging
visitors to the region if the level
of service they received when
they arrived was poor.
She said: "When people arrive
here, whatever they get in terms
of service, if it meets their expectations
they are going to go
away happy, if not they are going
to tell people they have had an
awful experience.
"We have huge problems in trying
to recruit.
"We estimate there will be
2,000 to 4,000 people needed in
tourism in the area over the next
five years and we can't get people
to work in those careers, so it
is important we take positive action
to get people into the industry
and get them to stay in it."
Part of the problem was the
large turnover of staff, including
receptionists as well as chefs and
secretaries.
Ms Frater pointed out that
these were the people who could
usually tell guests about attractions
in the area, but every time
a new one started they had to be
trained.
She said: "There was a particular
incident in Seaham where a
guest asked what there was to do
and was told there was a car boot
sale down the road.
"It is trying to convince staff
that there are service career opportunities."
The memory stick scheme,
known as the UK Skills Passport,
was successfully pioneered in the
North-West.
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
Print
Email this
Comment
