Workforce
Goal: To ensure a sufficient and highly-qualified workforce that is provided with meaningful careers and advancement opportunities.
Specific supporting actions are organized under three strategic directions set forth by the Hawaii TSP:
- Provide an adequate source of quality workforce to support the needs of Hawaii's visitor industry;
- Ensure a well-trained and educated visitor industry workforce; and
- Ensure the community has sufficient employment and advancement opportunities within the industry.
To facilitate this effort to address the present and future challenges facing Hawaii's visitor industry workforce needs, the HTA partnered with the University of Hawaii at Manoa's School of Travel Industry Management to develop a Tourism Workforce Development Strategic Plan: 2007-2015 [pdf].
This plan is designed to assist in the development and coordination of employment, training and human resources services, and is intended to be a guiding document for all stakeholders involved with all aspects of workforce development for Hawaii's visitor industry. Implementing actions which are operational in nature are included in the plan which also identifies lead and supporting organizations with recommended timelines and assessment measures. It is envisioned that stakeholders will work together and reflect these objectives in their own annual work plans. As a supporting entity in the Workforce Development initiative, the HTA will continue to explore areas where assistance may be needed.
An executive summary of the plan can also be seen here [pdf].
Efforts to expand information and outreach programs to promote tourism employment and training and develop a user-friendly interactive searchable database on available tourism employment opportunities and educational and training programs were given highest priority in Tourism Workforce Development Strategic Plan. The HTA has partnered with the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and developed a comprehensive website providing information on tourism industry career opportunities and available job training.
The HTA also has partnered with the Academy of Hospitality & Tourism (AOHT). AOHT is based on a national curriculum and program developed by the National Academy Foundation (NAF), targets students from the tenth to the twelfth grade, and is designed to provide hands-on learning experiences for students who are interested in the field of travel and tourism. Hawaii's AOHT program involves a total of six high schools on Oahu, Kauai, and Maui. This program arms the students with the requisite knowledge and ability for a career in the hospitality industry.
The Hawaii schools presently involved in the AOHT program are:
- McKinley High School
- Waipahu High School
- Baldwin High School
- Maui High School
- Lahainaluna High School
- Kauai High School
RELATED TOPICS
> Hawaii Tourism Careers
> Academy of Hospitality & Tourism
> Hawaii State Tour Driver and Guide Certification Course [pdf]
