Staff turnover ‘costing £886m’

The turnover of staff in travel, tourism and hospitality costs the industry £886 million a year, it has been claimed.

The figures emerged at the launch of the 2008 Shine Awards for women working in the three sectors.

Other statistics showed that 70% of recruitment is to replace existing staff and 40% of vacancies in the industry are now hard to fill due to huge labour shortages.

Fifteen per cent of the workforce have no qualifications and nearly a quarter of companies say that their staff are not fully proficient to meet the needs of their business, but 33% of employers do not offer any training. 

A roundtable discussion, which aims to identify best practice, share knowledge and seek practical solutions to address the skills and talent shortage, is to be held prior to the awards ceremony on November 26.

It will take place at the Graduate Centre at the London Metropolitan University, followed by The Shine Awards 2008 ceremony.

New expanded categories include five individual and five company awards.  A new website and a much simplified nomination procedure have also been introduced.

Online nominations can be made online at: http://www.shinepeopleandplaces.co.uk/shine-awards-nominations

Nominations close on October 31, with the judging taking place on November 6.

Individual Awards

SHINE Woman Entrepreneur of the Year

This is awarded to a female entrepreneur that has achieved demonstrable and sustainable business success in travel, tourism and hospitality. We are looking for women that have set up their own business with a 50% minimum share and that have achieved this by harnessing not only their own talent, but that of their teams by promoting personal and professional development and a mentoring culture.

SHINE Corporate Woman of the Year

This is awarded to a female professional of either a privately owned or publicly quoted company in Travel, Tourism and Hospitality. We are looking for women that have made a significant contribution to the success of the company by harnessing not only their own talent, but that of their teams by promoting personal and professional development and a mentoring culture.

SHINE Young Achiever of the Year

This is awarded to a young female professional (up to or below 30 years of age by 01/09/2008) who can demonstrate to have achieved something extraordinary or inspirational for the company/organisation she works for.

SHINE Public Sector Woman of the Year

This is awarded to women working in either government departments / agencies, not for profit organisations, NGOs and trade associations. This award celebrates women with executive or non-executive roles who have greatly contributed to the success of the company / organisation they work for by harnessing not only their own talent, but that of their teams by promoting personal and professional development and a mentoring culture.

SHINE Outstanding Mentor of the Year

This is awarded to a professional (male or female) who has consistently supported and encouraged the development of female colleagues in travel, tourism and hospitality. Evidence of such support, in terms of benefits and outcomes, will need to be clearly documented.

Company Awards

SHINE Company of the Year for Attracting Diversity of Talent

Awarded to the company that has demonstrably committed to attract diversity of talent, by designing and implementing strategies to attract, and retain the most diverse pool of people.

SHINE Company of the Year for Talent Development

This is awarded to the company that has put people at the top of its agenda. Companies will be asked to explain which talent development strategy they have put in place and to demonstrate the benefits achieved in so doing.

SHINE Company of the Year for Leadership in Coach-Mentoring

This is awarded to the company that has demonstrably embraced a coaching and mentoring culture by putting in place formal and/or informal mentoring initiatives and by committing senior management’s time to mentor young tourism professionals, particularly women. Companies will be asked to identify the benefits and rewards.

SHINE Company of the Year for Flexible Working and Work-Life Balance

This is awarded to the company that has demonstrably put in place effective flexible working practices which drive motivation and support employees’ work-life balance.

SHINE Female-headed Team of the Year

Awarded to a female headed-team that can demonstrate to have achieved excellence in team work, performance and productivity, by embracing a collaborative style of management

by Phil Davies