Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Hospitality Training topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee endorses follow-up on proposed hospitality training pilot for Ocean Shores businesses
Summary
The LTAC asked the Ocean Shores Hospitality Collaborative to return and clarify a proposed hospitality training program’s costs, participation model and how it complements existing accredited programs; committee members expressed broad support for workforce development but raised concerns about employer buy-in and program cost.
Ocean Shores’ Lodging Tax Advisory Committee expressed general support for a hospitality-training program proposed by the Ocean Shores Hospitality Collaborative but asked the Collaborative to return to the committee with more detail on participation, costs and differentiation from existing accredited programs.
The Collaborative’s proposal would offer localized, workshop-style training for lodging, restaurant and tourism staff, delivered in segmented sessions (for example, customer service, food-safety basics and front-desk skills) and tailored to Ocean Shores businesses. "I think the information is here... But I think the participation, just looking at how few people are participating in the hotel coalition, I think participation and and getting people buy-in to get their employees onto the program would be an issue," said George, a convention-center representative. Public commenters and committee members likewise questioned whether employers would allow staff time to take training.
"My experience with hospitality training is that many employees were not given the time available from their employer to attend," an online commenter (Gina) said, urging a model that can work with local staffing realities. Committee members suggested the Collaborative explore online modules and pilot options to reduce cost and increase uptake, and asked the Collaborative to explain how this program differs from college-accredited hospitality courses referenced by members.
Several committee members, including Shannon, said they support training as a long-term investment in visitor experience and shoulder-season competitiveness. "The better experience we could have, the more times people want to come back," Shannon said, adding that the committee should confirm whether the Collaborative’s program would be open to all businesses and how reimbursement or cost-sharing would work.
LTAC staff will invite the Collaborative back to explain program budgets, a proposed pilot model, participant recruitment and measures of success. The committee noted a potential role for partners such as regional hospitality associations and the state in leveraging training funds and resources.
