Iowa ACTE Best Practices Conference 2021

Pre-pandemic, workforce was the top challenge Iowa hospitality industry operators faced. Today, it is even more critical-Iowa's restaurant and hospitality industries need people, needs them now, and their Pandemic recovery depends on it. The stats are jaw-dropping! More than half of the state's restaurants are operating 20+% below needed staffing levels, 70% of operators cite the inability to find qualified workforce as the number one threat to their potential recovery from the impact of Covid-19 and 85% say the lack of workforce will impact future business plans. Learn what both industries are doing in Iowa high schools to face this challenge head on.Attendees will be able to:
- Understand the challenges facing the restaurant and hospitality industries with new jobs, labor shortages, and Pandemic recovery
- Analyze the state of Hospitality work-based learning education in Iowa (established CTE programs, training, certifications, and resources available through the Iowa Restaurant Association Education Foundation and the National Restaurant Association)
-Discover how connecting students to careers in the restaurant and hospitality industries contributes to high-quality, work-based learning experiences that can be foundational and transferrable for a variety of management and leadership skills employers ask for today.
- Understand the importance of Industry Partners to Iowa ProStart and Hospitality/Tourism programs.