Millions of jobs await Filipinos in hospitality industry

MANILA, Philippines - More than 15 million jobs await Filipinos who want to work in top-rate hotels and restaurants in the United States, Europe and other countries in Asia, with about 158,000 hospitality and leisure jobs needed in the United States alone.

Labor requirements rose after hotel occupancy levels grew by 3.4% in 2010, a positive sign that the industry is recovering from the global recession.

In a report released by the Asian School of Hospitality Arts (ASHA), the leading hospitality school in the Philippines, the local industry is expected to grow 11% this year, which is also the figure provided by the Asian Tourism Association.

With this growth, more five-star hotels and restaurants would need additional hotel, food and beverage managers, baristas and hospitality staff. These are supervisorial and skilled positions which Filipinos are qualified to fill in.

ASHA directress Angie Blanco says Filipinos are most sought-after when it comes to these positions. Top five-star hotels hire more from the Philippines because Filipinos are highly qualified, trustworthy and hardworking. Filipinos are more qualified because most are HRM (Hotel and Restaurant Management) graduates.

“We have thousands of Filipinos in the hospitality and leisure industries which can benefit from the recovery of the industry after a slump in 2009. Entry levels in these positions are high. We are in the best position to tap the hospitality job markets because of our high competency especially as hotel and restaurant managers, baristas and hotel staff,” says Blanco.

Hospitality-related jobs command competitive pay rates. For hotel managers, the average daily wage is $50 per hour or about P2,300 (P46=1$) per hour. In the United States , baristas earn $10 per hour or about $100 a day. This translates to almost P100,000 per month. Filipino chefs, meanwhile, are being paid more than P150,000 a month.

In the Philippines, improvements in the tourism industry generated close to 3 million additional jobs, according to the data released by the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB). As of May 2010, a total of 48,048 jobs were generated in Central Philippines, Metro Manila and Tagaytay alone. The hospitality outlook in the Philippines remains bright, says Blanco, as private investors continue to have a bullish attitude in the country.

ASHA has several campuses aside from the newly-launched Antipolo campus in partnership with Seven Suites Hotel Observatory: ASHA Quezon City, in partnership with the Orange Place Quezon City; ASHA San Juan, in partnership with the Orange Place San Juan; ASHA West Avenue, in partnership with TCB West Avenue, and ASHA Tagaytay, in partnership with Summit Ridge Tagaytay.

ASHA now offers courses that will enhance your skills for you to be prepared in the world’s hospitality industry. Enrolment now ongoing until October. For inquiries, call 5067007 or 2175444, email: angiesd.ashaschool@yahoo .com or visit the website at www.asha. edu.ph.