Description
The reverberations of an unparalleled labor shortage echo through service-based industries, leaving the hospitality, tourism, and food and beverage sectors grappling with a critical challenge. The fallout from the 2020-2021 global health crisis has laid bare a systemic flaw: the absence of sustainable career pathways for front-line workers. From airlines to cruise ships, theme parks to restaurants, and bars, the shortage of front-line workers has reached a critical level, preventing organizations from operating at full capacity even as public health restrictions are lifted. This crisis stems not only from the economic aftermath of the pandemic but also from the longstanding neglect within these industries to cultivate a resilient front-line workforce. Front-line positions, often considered transient and unskilled, lack the structured development pipelines that other professional industries utilize successfully. As organizations struggle to address these workforce challenges, Career Pathways and Professional Identities for Front-Line Workers in the Service Industries serves as a guide filled with solutions in the face of industry-wide adversity.
Career Pathways and Professional Identities for Front-Line Workers in the Service Industries responds to the urgency within the hospitality, restaurant, and tourism industries, by applying the dynamics of the 4th Industrial Revolution and the Gig Economy, to propose innovative solutions to engineer sustainable career pathways and foster professional identities. Ideal for employers, educators, and researchers involved in these industries, the book aims to guide organizations in optimizing operations, implementing leadership-focused succession planning, and minimizing the impact of labor fluctuations. From an academic perspective, it harmonizes industry-focused programs, offering a distinct element for hospitality, restaurant, and tourism management curricula. Additionally, it opens avenues for research on transitioning low-pay roles into meaningful, long-term careers with a focus on continuous improvement.
Author's/Editor's Biography
Mark Vitale (Ed.)
Mark Vitale
has been with the University of Phoenix for over 22 years as both faculty and staff. He is currently serving in the University’s Workforce Solutions Group where he leads efforts to align internal resources of the university with customized needs for various workforce sectors. He has created unique educational and upskilling solutions that develop employee satisfaction through establishing career pathways for various industries including business, information technology, healthcare administration, nursing, education criminal justice. Previously, Dr. Vitale led the University of Phoenix Southern Arizona Campus. He teaches Statistics, Leadership and Marketing courses for the University and has served as a peer evaluator for regional and programmatic accreditors. Prior to his tenure in higher education, Dr. Vitale enjoyed a successful career in tourism and hospitality marketing with fortune 500 companies such as the Walt Disney Company and Westin Hotels. Dr. Vitale has a Doctorate in Organizational Systems and Transformational Leadership from Capella University as well as a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry, and a Master of Business Administration in Marketing from The University of Arizona. He has published and presented original research on workforce development as well as leading cross-organizational teams to develop the architecture for multiple registered apprenticeship frameworks including for law enforcement, commercial pilots, and k-12 teachers. Dr. Vitale currently serves on several boards and leadership councils in Southern Arizona related to workforce development including being the current Chairman of the Board for the Pima County Workforce Investment Board. He has served on board for 8 years and has been leading its efforts as chair for 4. He has also been appointed to multiple state committees tasked with optimizing economic development, education, and workforce development efforts in the State of Arizona. In his free time, Dr. Vitale has a passion for aviation and is a commercially licensed pilot (with multi-engine and instrument ratings) as well as a certified flight instructor with over 1,500 logged flight hours.