Index

2002 was a busy year for the Employment Services Department of the IHF and saw the development of several new initiatives along with the continuation of existing annual activities.

Mentoring Programme

The Federation’s Strategic Review “Blueprint for the Future” outlined a number of recommendations under the Human Resources/Management area. One of these was the development of a Mentoring Programme to assist young graduate managers settle into their working careers, with a view to reducing the high proportion of graduates leaving the industry early in their working lives.

The IHF in conjunction with Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) have recently commenced work on this project. 34 graduates of the Trainee Manager Development Programme will participate in the mentoring programme during this first pilot year.

Already a number of Industry Mentors have volunteered to take part in the pilot and with their help an agenda for the programme was set following a facilitation day in GMIT. The next stage is to outline the programme and its objectives to the graduates and to match each one with a mentor. Once this has been completed the partnership will last formally for a year – with the mentor acting as a guide, a listening ear, a motivator and a sounding board for the graduates. There will be formal meetings and ongoing assessment of objectives and it is anticipated that the outcome will benefit both graduates and mentors.

Career/Recruitment Events

Careers Roadshow

The annual careers roadshow ran throughout the months of October and November in 20 venues nation-wide. Two sessions were held each day at 10am and 1.45pm. 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.

This years set up was similar to previous years. In addition to CERT making presentations on the courses and the career paths available 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 seen more and more as an 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 main difference this year was the usage of many of the catering colleges and Institutes of Technology for the presentations, which gave students a great insight into their first step on the career ladder in the hotel industry. A big thank you to all the ITs which participated and for the great showcases they had including student chef demonstrations, cocktail making and hospitality skills.

Placement Activities

The industry seems to be recovering from the difficulties of 2001 and a CERT report issued in the spring of 2002, identified that 125,000 new recruits would be required in the industry between 2002 and 2007. It is expected that the industry will remain a substantial employer of new entrants during the next 5 years.

In 2002 the IHF continued its successful relationship with FÁS and its European employment network – Eures. Recruitment events took place in:

• Spain – Canary Islands – Tenerife and Gran Canaria
• Italy – Milan & Sicily
• Belgium – Liege
• Sweden – Vasteras, Malmo
• Finland - Turku
• Denmark – Aarhus, Copenhagen, Odense

In addition over 300 hotel schools throughout Europe were contacted for placement students.

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 _ 450 ex VAT. Further details can be obtained from the IHF offices.

Quality Employer Programme

2002 saw an additional 25 properties being accredited to the Quality Employer Programme bringing the total number of properties now accredited to just over 400.

In 2003 a complete review of the programme will take place. The Programme has been in operation since 1997 and although updated in line with changing legislation it has never been totally revamped. For those properties involved in the programme since its inception it needs to grow and develop to maintain interest and motivation. The Employment Committee of the IHF are currently working on the options available and it is anticipated the review will be complete by mid 2003.

Transition Year Programme

In the academic year 2002/03 21 hotels and 22 schools are operating the IHF Transition Year Programme. During the year over 924 students are expected to receive certificates on completion of the year or half-year programme.

In September two In-Service training days were held in Dublin and Tullamore with teachers representing schools interested in operating the programme attending. 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.

The 4th 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. This year the circulation was in excess of 25,000 copies.

Anti-Racist Workplace Week

November 4 - 8 2002 was Anti Racist Workplace Week throughout the country and the IHF participated actively by circulating posters and policies to members. A representative also attended a training day organised by the Equality Authority. The initiative was aimed at preventing racism and promoting multiculturalism in the workplace

IBEC’s Business & Education Links Programme

This programme has been designed by IBEC to develop a partnership approach between businesses and second level schools. Companies and schools work together in a pre planned and focused manner to ensure young people are given the industry knowledge and skills they need to be employable while developing a positive attitude towards industry, enterprise and the working world.

During 2001 over 12,000 students participated in the programme from 350 schools with 220 companies. It is planned to have the programme in place in 760 schools by 2004. IHF members attended a number of regional workshops to learn more about this programme and many members signed up for the programme on those days. It is expected that many more members will become involved in this very worthwhile project during 2003.

The programme is an excellent opportunity to encourage young people to take up careers in the tourist industry while affording participating businesses a positive PR image in their own locality.

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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