Many businesses already recognise the importance of a consistent and on-going approach to coaching, training and people development. Just as the rewards can be huge for a business, the consequences of inadequate, inconsistent development can be costly and time consuming to rectify.
This lapse in people development is currently evident in the hospitality sector. It has recently revealed that 200,000 people are due to receive training ahead of the 2012 London Olympics, which is a pretty clear indication that somewhere along the way there was a breakdown in effective skills planning. This sudden demand for training is due to a skills shortage in the hospitality sector, with a skill’s council report revealing that both the hotel and restaurant industries rely heavily on temporary workers to fill work gaps and help their businesses to trade. As a whole, over half of the employers in the hospitality sector depend on a temporary workforce.
This level of reliance is far too high.
Temporary workers can provide a quick-fix solution to staffing shortages and offer flexibility in response to an ever-changing consumer demand. However, such a heavy reliance on a transient, constantly shifting workforce does have its downsides.
Firstly, there are the costs involved in recruiting and providing introductory training to the conveyor belt of new starters. Collectively, the sector wastes around £34million on this. Secondly, there’s the impact that a constantly changing workforce has on the level of service and customer engagement offered by these businesses.
Temporary workers are used to fill a gap in skills – but they’re only a short-term solution.
It’s vital for any industry to plan ahead to make sure they’re properly equipped for natural growth and any unexpected surge in customer demand. By instigating regular training and development within an organisation, employers not only nurture skills and talent, they also build brand knowledge and loyalty. These are key attributes often lacking in temporary staffing.
The message from the hospitality sector is clear: invest in your people today and stay prepared for whatever the future may throw at your business.
Elva Ainsworth
Managing Director
Talent Innovations – download our Employee Engagement report here
