For Destination Marketing Organizations that are evolving into community development agencies, the concept of workforce development is often a struggle. We know that our tourism partners are wrestling to secure workers (one of Madison's top restaurants just closed with the owner saying that the lack of workforce was a key driver in the decision). But, how do we respond?
Hyatt has created a program called RiseHY ("rise high") that seeks to bring out-of-school, out-of-work young people into the Hyatt workforce. And, today, nearly 1,300 “Opportunity Youth” have integrated into the Hyatt world. But, not without some interesting lessons learned along the way. Like showing up to work on time is often most difficult for these individuals, in part because people have complicated living arrangements and uneven access to transportation.
Hyatt CEO Mark Hoplamazian said: “There are many things you can be proud of in life, but few things provide as much inspiration and hope for the future as watching one of these young people come into the workforce and achieve success.”
Motivational words for us all.
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