PRLA Restaurant & Lodging Matters Summer 2021

4 • PENNSYLVANIA RESTAURANT & LODGING matters • Summer 2021 INDUSTRY OUTLOOK AT THE END of July, I testified before the Senate Community, Economic, & Recreational Development Committee on the impact of the workforce shortage on the hospitality industry of Pennsylvania. In my almost 50-year career, this is the most severe shortage I’ve seen. Make no mistake, this shortage impacts nearly every industry; however, it is exacerbated in our industry because it takes so many people to run a restaurant or hotel. My testimony focused primarily on how the legislature could help address this crisis from our perspective, which included: • Direct state workforce monies toward our industry awareness campaign, Level Up. • Apply workforce development resources to hospitality programs. • Support and enact legislation that would permit association health plans in Pennsylvania which would enable many restaurants to make affordable healthcare available to team members. Level Up As the mitigation lifted, PRLA engaged our partner PR firm, Food Shelter, to develop a multi-media industry awareness campaign to highlight the diverse opportunities provided by the industry. The purpose of the campaign is to sway perception of hospitality jobs from frontline work to flexible and growth-oriented careers. It engages former and future employees on the possibilities the industry provides, whether it’s teaching skills to first job holders, flexibility for gig workers/students who want to pursue other interests/ passions, or reassuring industry vets that job security and career pathways abound. See the sidebar on page 19 for more information about Level Up and how to participate in the campaign. Workforce Development Resources The Commonwealth devotes a significant number of resources to workforce development for many industry sectors but almost none are allocated to hospitality, which is one of the fastest growing and largest segments in the state. At the secondary level, the ProStart program is a nationally recognized program developed by the restaurant industry for high school students to build practical skills and real-world work experience. ProStart students are prepared to immediately enter the industry or pursue post-secondary programs. In Pennsylvania, over 30 high schools participate in ProStart but we would like to see the Commonwealth adopt this curriculum for all secondary culinary arts programs since it was created by the industry for preparing the future of the industry. Additionally, we have a similar curriculum for hospitality programs focused on the hotel segment called HTMP. Both the National Restaurant Association and the American Hotel & Lodging Association have developed industry- specific professional development programs, which are accessible through your membership with PRLA. Association Health Plans In today’s tight employee market, competitive benefits programs are essential for attracting and retaining top talent. One of the most sought-after benefits is health insurance. Several years ago, the U.S. Department of Labor released guidance that paved the way for small businesses to group together to enjoy group buying power previously out of reach through the Association Health Plan. Unfortunately, the Pa. Insurance Commissioner has blocked the use of the important tool. Two bills have John Longstreet PRLA PRESIDENT & CEO “Make no mistake, this shortage impacts nearly every industry; however, it is exacerbated in our industry because it takes so many people to run a restaurant or hotel.”