Youth finding the path into hospitality jobs
Youth finding the path into hospitality jobs
With tourism booming, the industry is looking to the next generation for employees.
The tri-county area recorded 35 million tourist last year and $42 billion in spending — performance that is leading to new hotels, stores and restaurants that need workers.
About a dozen young people attended an employment program Friday at the Urban League of Broward County to get tips on resume-writing from human resources managers from Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort. Dana Moore, human resources director of Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, gives student Tearon Welch some tips on resume writing.
Travel and tourism offers many entry-level job opportunities that don't require college degrees and provide a path to managerial positions such as hotel general manager.
"It's important for our youth to know these opportunities exist," Dana Moore, human resources director at Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach, said during Friday's resume-writing session.
The Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach partnered with the Urban League to offer resume and interviewing tips to participants — ages 16 to 24 — in its Urban Youth Employment Program.
The Urban League, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, offers education, jobs, health and housing programs as part of its mission to help African Americans and other disenfranchised groups to achieve social and economic equality.
Knowing the key words and skills sought by employers like Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach and others is a critical step to getting noticed and possibly landing that job, Urban League officials said.
"[Resume-writing] was something we recognized that our students needed some coaching or guidance on, so that they understand the value of a resume and what it says about you," said Courtnee Biscardi, the Urban League's vice president of program operations.
"We want them to walk out with a resume today and be confident it's a good piece of work. It's their character in many respects on paper."
The training session is part of hotel operator Hilton Worldwide's outreach program, which aims to help prepare young people in for careers in hospitality.
Fort Lauderdale resident Tearon Welch, 19, who participated in the resume-writing session, hoped it would help him to better define his personal brand and skills to apply for more jobs.
Welch also viewed the session as helping to point him in a more positive direction.
"I want to be better person, to be successful and make better choices," he said.
On Monday, as part of the Hilton Worldwide program, the GalleryOne – A DoubleTree Suites by Hilton hotel in Fort Lauderdale will host a group of young people from the Covenant House, which provides shelter and services to homeless or at-risk children. They'll get a property tour and insights into hospitality jobs from hotel employees.
For information, go to hiltonworldwide.com/youth.