Employment Report
2001 proved to be a difficult
year for our industry in more ways than one – none being more evident than
with Employment Issues. Having initially recovered well following the outbreak
of foot & mouth in the earlier part of the year, employment was hit again
following the uncertainties surrounding the events in America of September 11th.
This uncertainty in relation
to employment issues is going to be a feature for at least the first half of
2002 also. However, this aside 2001 was a busy year for the Employment Services
Department of the IHF with several new initiatives being developed along with
the continuation of other tried and tested activities.
CAREER/RECRUITMENT EVENTS
| Date |
Event |
Outcome |
| January |
Kerry Career
Guidance
Counsellors Career Day |
Over 1,500 fifth &
sixth year students attended in the Brandon Hotel. Several representatives
from industry attended and this ensured that students wishing to gain work
experience were assisted. |
| February |
FAS Opportunities
2001 |
This annual event was
held between the 3rd and the 6th February in the RDS. Over 130, 000 people
attended the event with over 10,000 visiting the joint IHF/CERT stand. Aimed
at job seekers and students. |
| March |
Return to Work
Recruitment Event |
This was a new recruitment
event in the calendar – aimed primarily at those considering changes
in careers or returning to the workforce after an absence. IHF members assisted
CERT to man the stand and were on hand to offer employment to suitable candidates. |
| September |
Irish Times
Higher Options |
The 15th such event
was again held in the RDS from the 19th-21st September, with joint CERT/IHF
Conference (photo) representation. Over 250 colleges and educational institutions
attended and well over 25,000 students, parents and Guidance Counsellors. |
| October/November
|
National Careers
Roadshow |
Our annual industry
based careers event – see separate section. |
PLACEMENT ACTIVITIES
Early
2001 saw the launch of the Placement Division’s new brochure to be used
when travelling overseas on recruitment activities. The brochure was also circulated
extensively to hotel and catering colleges overseas. The primary aim of the
brochure was to assist in selling Ireland to those considering Ireland as a
career destination, while also answering the most often asked questions such
as who the IHF is, why Ireland is looking for staff from overseas, what the
QEP is all about, what employers in Ireland look for in candidates and what
the candidates can expect in return.
The Placement Division
travelled for the first time to Poland in March and with the help of our Polish
contact interviewed in Employment offices and visited some hotel schools in
the country. This was very successful for us with 90 Polish people travelling
for interview and just over 45 of these taking up positions in Ireland during
the remainder of the year.
The IHF’s Placement
Division continues to value and develop its relationship with EURES advisors
throughout Europe. In November two recruitment events were held in Berlin and
Madgeburg, Germany, which the IHF attended. Potential employees were sourced
for the Bar, Restaurant, Chef, Accommodation and Back of house areas with 15-20
people due to commence work in Ireland in early 2002.
All QEP Accredited properties
may join the Placement Division at any time, on acceptance of the terms and
conditions, for a small annual fee of €380 and an additional placement
fee of €253. Further details can be received from the IHF offices.
QUALITY EMPLOYER PROGRAMME
During
2001 the QEP programme was launched in CD-ROM format along with a new advisory
booklet on how to implement the programme. The feedback has been excellent from
members. It is very easy to use and its new format means that personnel forms,
job descriptions and contracts can be downloaded and used immediately.
The booklet outlines what
the programme is all about and what it means for hoteliers, their business and
their employees. It provides step by step information about how to become accredited
to the QEP and outlines the 9 sections of the programme.
TRANSITION YEAR PROGRAMME
In
the academic year 2001-2002 50 hotels and schools operated the IHF Transition
Year Programme. During the year over 800 students received certificates on completion
of the year or half year programme.
In September, two In-Service
training days were held in Dublin and Limerick with teachers representing schools
interested in operating the programme attending both venues. Presentations were
given on an overview of the programme, a lecture on video production, information
on the state bodies involved in tourism and feedback from the IHF, CERT and
transition year co-ordinators on the operation of the programme. Hoteliers operating
the programme were also in attendance.
GET
A LIFE...IN TOURISM
The 3rd edition of the
very successful Get a Life...in Tourism magazine was published in September.
The industry careers magazine which is circulated to 16-18 year old students,
guidance counsellors and all secondary level schools throughout the country
is aimed at encouraging students to consider careers in our industry.
LEGISLATION ISSUES
1. A Code of Practice
for Young Persons was launched during the year, which is a collaboration
between ICTU, IHF, RAI, LVA, Mandate, VFI and the National Parents Council.
The code contains valuable information to both employers and employees with
regard to identifying the obligations, responsibilities and entitlements associated
with employing 16 and 17 year olds in licensed premises.
(http://www.ihf.ie/ihfpag/codeynglic.pdf)
2. Organisation of Working
Time (Records)
( Prescribed Form & Exemptions)
Regulations 2001
Came into effect on the
1st November 2001 under the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997. The Act imposes
on every employer the requirement to maintain certain employee records and stipulates
the manner in which these records should be documented and maintained for each
employee
(http://www.ihf.ie/members/memos/01-12recordkeeping.htm)
3. Protection of Employees
(Part Time Work) Act 2001
The purpose of this Act
is threefold
i) To outlaw discrimination
against part time workers where such discrimination exists.
ii) To improve the quality
of part time work
iii) To facilitate the
development of part time work and contribute to the flexible organisation
of working time, taking into account employers and workers needs.
(http://www.ihf.ie/members/memos/01-12protectionemployees.htm)
CHANGES IN WORK PERMIT
PROCEDURES & FEES
With effect from 2nd January
2002 the charge for the application and renewal of work permit applications
changes to the following
| Duration |
Charge in Euro -
€ |
| One Month |
50.00 |
| Two Months |
75.00 |
| Three Months |
100.00 |
| Four Months |
125.00 |
| Five Months |
150.00 |
| Six Months –
1 Year |
400.00 |
As a primary objective and
obligation of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is to avail
of employment opportunities within the State, employers who apply for work permits
are required to establish that it has not been possible, in spite of reasonable
efforts being made (e.g., by way of advertising nationally, seeking applicants
from FAS or employment agencies or other such means), to fill the vacancy with
an Irish or other person for whom a work permit is not required..
Proof of attempts made
by the employer to recruit either within Ireland or within the EEA becomes more
onerous. A letter from FAS must accompany all new applications detailing the
employer’s efforts to recruit using the FAS recruitment website in Ireland
or the Eures network in Europe. Please note that this will not be required when
renewing applications.
As in the past the IHF
continue to assist members by accepting the work permit applications at Northbrook
Road, checking to ensure they are completes and forwarding them to the Department
of Enterprise, Trade & Employment.
During the year the IHF
helped process over 650 applications and renewal applications for work permits.
CAREERS ROADSHOW
The annual careers roadshow
ran through the month of October and November in 18 venues nation-wide. Three
sessions were held each day at 10am, 1pm and 7pm. The evening sessions being
primarily aimed at parents, teachers and those returning to the work force.
This is a joint venture
between the IHF, CERT and the RAI and serves as one of the main recruitment
and industry events of the year.
In addition to CERT making
presentations on the courses available and the career paths there were several
representatives from industry giving practical demonstrations and discussing
their own personal career paths. There was a competition at each venue. Overall
the feedback from attendees both students and teachers was “great”
The numbers attending has increased on last year to almost 10,000 and so it
seems did the interest from students and guidance counsellors. Our industry
is being seen as a more attractive career prospect and it is now hoped to track
those who attended to see if they will actually take up a course of study in
this sector following school.
The Employment Services
Department of the IHF wishes to extend its gratitude to everyone who assisted
in their activities during the year – those who gave up their time for
career events and roadshows, contributed to career articles and the Get a Life
magazine and those involved actively in the Transition Year Programme.
Your assistance and
support is much appreciated.
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