To help its members combat this recent workforce shortage slamming the hospitality industry, the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) launched GreatFloridaJob.com, a new easy-to-use website for employers and job seekers to post and find jobs across all levels of Florida’s hospitality industry.
Florida’s hospitality industry was devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. As the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries shut down internationally, more than 934,000 of Florida’s 1.5 million hospitality employees were furloughed or laid off. As Governor DeSantis led the nation to re-open Florida and jumpstart our economic recovery, Florida’s hotels and restaurants are rebounding but still facing historic labor shortages.
According to the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), Florida has more than 460,000 jobs available, including tens of thousands from entry level to managerial in Florida’s hospitality industry.
”The Great Florida Job campaign is another example of FRLA being in touch with the realities of the industry it represents and stepping up to create a substantive, timely solution,’ said Lisa E. Lombardo, Chief People and Culture Officer for HDG Hotels. “HDG is seeing results from participating in the Great Florida Jobs campaign. The online site for job postings is being promoted throughout the state and to diverse audiences, with all levels of experience. From job seekers’ livelihoods to the guest experience, what a great way to positively impact Florida’s tremendous, but still recovering, hospitality industry.”
“As the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic continues and visitor numbers continue to increase, FRLA is supporting the efforts of our industry members in hiring the best talent to join their teams,” said Carol Dover, FRLA President and CEO. “Florida’s hospitality industry provides exciting, challenging, and fun employment options with great opportunity for advancement and the establishment of a long-term career path, and we encourage all job seekers to consider returning to or joining Florida’s premier industry – hospitality.”
To assist the industry in getting back to pre-COVID service and staffing levels and maintain Florida’s status as the number one international tourism destination, FRLA has advocated for policies that will support industry recovery, hosted job fairs, and created a task force to help identify solutions. Job seekers or FRLA members can visit GreatFloridaJob.com for free. Nonmembers can post job vacancies for a nominal fee of $50.