Regional Human Resources Development Knowledge and Skills Audit for the Tourism Industry
As industry and government know, professional, personalised service is and always has been one of the keys to successful tourism development. While Caymanians are a typically welcoming and hospitable people, a variety of factors have constrained the development of a highly skilled Caymanian tourism workforce.
As highlighted in the CIDOT’s National Tourism Plan (2019-2023), “the first step in defining a strategy for ‘where we want to be’ is to understand ‘where we are now.’ For workforce development that means understanding the current needs and demands of employers, potential barriers to entry, training needs, supply constraints and other variables.” The proposed process for creation of a National Tourism Workforce Plan begins with an assessment and concludes with a participatory planning process and strategy based upon the results of that assessment. It is with this in mind that we urge you to dedicate some time to take part in the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Human Resources Development Knowledge and Skills Audit.
This audit was commissioned by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) with funding from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and CTO member countries and will be administered by A-Z Information Jamaica Limited (A-Z). The data gathered from the Caribbean-wide endeavour will allow the CIDOT to effectively make informed decisions in its mission to develop a highly skilled tourism workforce.
Overall Project Objective
To conduct a regional tourism human resources knowledge and skills audit, which assesses and ultimately enhances the regional competencies of the Caribbean tourism workforce. This project will contribute towards the establishment of a globally competitive regional tourism workforce, ensuring the continued strength and sustainability of the Caribbean tourism and hospitality sector.
The audit will consist of a series of surveys, which were designed by A-Z Information Jamaica Limited (A-Z). over the next four weeks starting on Tuesday, 19 October 2021. Please find more information below on the first survey, the General Establishment Survey. This webpage will be updated with details of the subsequent surveys as they are released.
The General Establishment Survey (available through Monday, 1 November 2021)
Who Should Complete the General Establishment Survey
- Business Owners
- CEOs
- Managing Directors
- General Managers,
- Human Resources Managers
The information collected from this survey is strictly confidential, as all information will be compiled and communicated in the aggregate. Your establishment’s name will not be mentioned nor will any of your specific information be provided to any third party or financial institution.
It may take up to sixty (60) minutes to complete this survey and it requires some level of commitment and preparation.
What Information Is Needed to Complete the Survey
- Your establishment’s employment history
- Types of workers you have hired
- Future hiring plans
- Problems you have faced in hiring
- Your views on the tourism sector
The survey can be completed by visiting
https://forms.gle/gaf4e5fVZp71cCZA9. We invite your submission of the completed survey by close of business on
Monday, 1 November 2021.
Your participation will ensure that CTO and the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism have a thorough understanding of tourism human resources in the region and help to identify, among other things, the critical competencies, and resources necessary for the development of a sustainable, high-performing Caribbean tourism workforce; consequently, benefitting all those directly or indirectly involved in any tourism related activity.
To learn more about the Rationale of this project,
click here
To learn more about the Specific Objectives,
click here
To learn more about the Key Project Deliverables,
click here
To learn more about the Methodology,
click here
Rationale
The development of a Regional (HRD) Knowledge and Skills Audit for the Tourism Industry project speaks to the ability of Planners, Strategists, Policy Makers and Tourism Human Resource Managers to come together to address issues, which are critical to the region’s ability to be:
(a) Truly competitive – one of the key elements of competitiveness is the efficiency and the quality of its human capital;
(b) Sustainable in its development and management; and
(c) Forward thinking/visionary in its approach to future industry needs.
A highly skilled and knowledgeable tourism workforce must be recognized as an important competitive strategy for Caribbean destinations. Effective HR planning for the tourism industry in the region therefore calls for the consideration of several critical factors, including,
- Accessibility of accurate information for decision-making,
- Understanding of important issues such as shifts in societal conditions, advances in technology, education and training policies, recruitment practices, labour turnover, etc.,
- Offer of externally validated qualifications that are designed in accordance with established national and regional quality assurance standards,
- Skills-based programmes that may be assessed and granted vocational, professional, and continuing education awards, and
- Continuous and consistent monitoring and analysis of the labour market and development of appropriate strategies or action items based on findings.
It is therefore strongly believed that such an audit will provide insight and foresight on skill competencies as well as skill imbalances in the tourism sector and identify the sub-sectors, occupations and priority competencies that are needed to meet the changing needs of the industry and the Caribbean tourism labour market.
Specific Objectives
The specific objectives of the Regional Human Resources Development Knowledge and Skills Audit are to:
- identify the specific leadership and workforce competencies required to meet the current and future needs of the tourism sector;
- provide a detailed review of the critical competencies and resources necessary for the development of a sustainable, high-performing Caribbean tourism workforce; and
- provide valuable information and recommendations that will assist with the development of policies and better planned interventions related to human capital.
Key Project Deliverables
- Skills Supply and Demand in the Tourism Industry Report – An assessment of the tourism labour market: supply, demand and opportunities, in both the private and public sectors.
- Skills and Knowledge Audit Report – A SWOT and situational analysis of the tourism human resource development landscape to determine current knowledge, skills, qualifications, and competencies requirements for the tourism workforce and to establish how critical workforce knowledge and skills gaps can be addressed.
- Tourism Higher Education and Training Institutions Report – An analysis of the education and training provision in core tourism related areas, including those from Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) courses and Higher Education Institutions, both private and public.
- Future Skills and Knowledge Needs Assessment Report – An assessment of the skills, qualifications and knowledge, which will be essential for meeting training and development needs for future tourism workforce planning.
- Webinar Consultation Report – Two webinars will be held to present a summary of results of the final reports, as well as recommendations and action plan, to key stakeholders for feedback.
- A Final Comprehensive Combined Report will be produced at the conclusion of the project, covering all research and development outcomes, recommendations and detailed action plan.
Methodology
The process will be participatory and inclusive and will be hinged heavily on virtual connections, including consultations, focus group engagements, individual key informant interviews and online surveys.