A prestigious publication recently reported that the main problem companies are facing worldwide is a shortage of qualified employees. And a renowned auditing firm stated that there is a severe shortage, specifically in the tourism sector. Spain alone will need 900,000 professionals by 2030, but only 50,000 students enroll in tourism schools and degree programs every year. That means 40% of their seats are empty. It’s obvious that the biggest threat to our industry in the short-term is a lack of trained professionals.

Our response to this threat has been threefold: attract talent, create work conditions so employees stay in the industry, and train employees so they have the tools they need to succeed. To reach these goals, we need to seriously invest in the employee experience and offer competitive salaries. These aren’t the only things we need, but it’s a good place to start. In addition to adequate compensation, we must also train employees so they can reach their full potential both personally and professionally.

Taking good care of the employee experience is made possible by better communication and that starts by listening. The work climate survey is key to meeting this end: Last year, 86% of employees participated in the Iberostar Group survey and we received more than 7,000 comments. On average, 90% of participants rated their commitment to the company as 8.68/10. All employees in leadership roles play an essential role in facilitating a healthy and attractive work environment that generates employee commitment. Both creativity and technology play an essential role here.

The Star Team platform at Iberostar Group is a tool we use to build community. It’s very interactive, brings people together, and allows for an open flow of feedback and communication.

Taking good care of our employees means focusing on training. In this area, Iberostar Group is focusing its efforts on four specialized areas. First, by offering specific learning modules, divided into sections, on our digital platform called Iberostar Campus: 15 schools and more than 130 courses in 3 languages. We’re aware that new generations have specific learning needs. That’s why our campus offers accessible, scalable, dynamic, and flexible training that is compatible with daily life by using gamified training pillars and a wide array of audiovisual resources created internally and externally.

Secondly, some of our modules have been designed specifically for training our leaders. We collaborate with the the ESADE Business School and ISDI to offer anIberostar Leadership Program training for our directors. We also offer the Leadership & People Development program and the -Iberostar New Leaders Program-. In addition, we promote specific activities for female leadership as well as a program for hotel directors (Hotel General Manager Development Program) and another for hotel team leaders (Hotel Team Leader Program).

Thirdly, we have a continuous general training area, which includes a Corporate Development Plan with options including: coaching and mentoring, language learning, and specific need-based courses. 

And our last and newest initiative is training future generations in Spain, the ones the hardest hit by unemployment, . We are also excited to launch our training called Dual Vocational Training, a Vocational Training module that’s carried out between the school and the company. The Dual Vocational Training program allows students to work and study in a way that adapts to company needs and ensures quick employment after finishing the module.

Training is powerful. It empowers employees to make good decisions, get rid of their fears, and learn new skills. Learning isn’t meant only for one stage of our lives, we’re ready for continuing education. That’s why we’re strengthening our training programs. They’re one of the many ways we take good care of the people that make up Iberostar Group. In 2022, we spent more than 276,000 hours working towards this goal. And we plan to continue growing to benefit the whole Iberostar family.

 

Luis M. Zamora - Chief Human Resources Officer, Iberostar Group.