The Hospitality industry’s quest for skilled workforce

For an industry that thrives on skilled labour, the hospitality sector is struggling to find employees which boils down to the scarcity of skilled individuals in the sector. Although the nation has an array of institutions dedicated to education and skill development in the hospitality sector, there is a lack of interest among the youth to join the industry.

Despite these adverse challenges, the tourism and hospitality industry contributes nearly six to seven per cent towards the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and supports nearly 4.3 crore jobs in India. For an industry as big as this, the scarcity of skilled labour poses a major concern, the output for major educational institutions have fallen significantly forcing the industry to rely on raw talent.

According to a recent report by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), by 2034, spending in the sector is projected to rise by 1.2 times, driving the requirement for an additional 61 lakh workers. Approximately 31 per cent of the jobs in 2025 will be direct, including roles such as tour guides, hotel staff and tour operators, while the remaining 69 per cent will be indirect, encompassing jobs in supply chain management, logistics, IT support and landscape maintenance.

However, these roles would need to be fulfilled and with lack of individuals enrolling into hospitality management and skill based educational programmes will leave a gap to be filled which forces major hospitality, travel and tourism groups to hire raw talent and an increased spending on talent development.

A few hospitality brands along with associations are actively addressing the issue to fill the gaps. Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) has announced the establishment of India’s largest hospitality skilling centre at Aguada Plateau, Goa which aims to enhance employment opportunities, bridge the talent gap and empower local communities while supporting regenerative tourism. Similarly, Mahindra University has announced the launch of the School of Hospitality Management in Hyderabad which aims to equip students with an integrated culinary excellence offering in the dynamic hospitality management business in partnership with their hospitality chains Mahindra Holidays and Club Mahindra.

Dr Yajulu Medury, Vice Chancellor, Mahindra University, "The School of Hospitality is a remarkable addition to our portfolio of cutting-edge programmes, designed to seamlessly integrate industry expertise with academic excellence. This new school will empower its students to master the latest trends and technologies in this ever-evolving field. Guided by renowned faculty, our students will experience an exceptional learning environment through masterclasses, interactive workshops, and immersive real-world simulations, equipping them to lead and innovate in this dynamic field."

According to Carlos Díez de la Lastra, CEO, Les Roches, a leading institution in hospitality management education, education and talent development will shape the future of the hospitality industry not only in India but globally. To address the challenges of an increasingly sophisticated tourism industry, he has emphasised the importance of a highly skilled workforce, regarding the issue, he stated, “We must deliver high-quality service that not only meets but exceeds travelers’ expectations. To achieve this, it is essential to have specialized, flexible professionals who excel in both traditional service competencies and advanced technological tools.”

He added further, “At Les Roches, we remain attuned to industry changes and aligned with its needs through strategic partnerships with key players. We continuously adapt our programmes to prepare future professionals capable of meeting the demands of an ever-evolving industry.”

In spite of the fact that a lack of talent development and skilled labour can be an alarming sign, the hospitality industry is sustaining and maintaining itself with the highest regard. The thriving industry is aiming to solve issues through generating resources with skilling centres, establishing educational institutions and offering educational and skill development programmes to raw talent. This will hopefully subside the issue and brace the industry for rapid growth in the coming years.