Cultivating the next generation of the workforce in the hospitality industry is an important job that keeps the cycle going.
On the latest episode of the Next Gen in Lodging podcast, co-host Omari Head is joined by Brian Barker, executive director of hospitality industry alliance Ahead and clinical associate professor of hospitality social enterprising and engagement at the New York University SPS Tisch Center of Hospitality, to share best practices to inspire students seeking a career in hotels.
In his role with NYU, Barker created an apprenticeship program launching this January through a partnership with the American Hotel and Lodging Association. Students — including those who aren't located in New York City — can earn up to 27 credit hours toward an associate's degree.
The idea to bring an apprenticeship program to hospitality was inspired by similar practices in Europe and among other academic majors that require real-world experience before obtaining an official role, he said.
"Apprenticeships are almost a normal thing in the European environment, and it's also very normal in other disciplines. Think about very applied, hands-on [focuses] like engineering, electrical and even medicine — most folks who come from those very applied fields have to get an apprenticeship before they can go on to their next step or stage," he said.
The program isn't just for newcomers to the industry, though. Barker said it can also be a resource for those looking to sharpen their experience and tools in the industry.
"We really are just trying to be an additional pathway for folks who've been working in hospitality and maybe their career has stalled or maybe they're at a supervisory role and they have a ton of experience, but we can now give them credit for that prior learning, that industry learning that they already have," he said.
Barker said the goals of the apprenticeship program overlap with those of the Ahead alliance. Ahead was formed with the intention of putting a focus on the talent pool in the hospitality industry.
Ahead's mission is "to transform the hospitality industry by intentionally uplifting and amplifying a culture representative of untapped talent," he said.
The alliance wants to challenge misperceptions of the industry, such as it not being a promising or financially rewarding career, he said. It has put on college expos and events to "tell the story of what hospitality really is."
For more from Head and Barker, listen to the podcast embedded above.
The Next Gen in Lodging podcast is also available to download on Apple or Spotify, where you can also subscribe to future podcast content.
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