Human resources development

Electronic information technology has been changing skill profile and working conditions in the sector. Data processing, telecommunications, control systems and audiovisual teaching devices have been increasing the responsibility of many workers and are requiring new personality related capacities such as team work, permanent learning, multi-skilling, and efficient communication. Partial, specialized skills are being replaced by competencies for independent problem solving. This leads to more interesting and rewarding work for many, but to less recognition of the capacities for those who stay behind. As a result, hierarchies are being flattened, the sector offers fewer career prospects even for the core staff, employers are keen to stabilize the workforce, and basic jobs such as cleaning are increasingly being subcontracted to enterprises applying lower labour standards. In restaurants, improved conservation methods as well as computer supported stock keeping diminish the number of trained cooks whilst the preparation of meals is increasingly being contracted to enterprises in the agro-industry or to industrial caterers.

The concept of competencies in hotel and restaurant occupations still needs to be translated into modular training material. The ILO will cooperate with other institutions, including from the private sector, to make modern material available.