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By Siddharth Savkur, CEO of Kamaxi Group
It is a known fact now that the number of students enrolling in hospitality programmes in India is dwindling every year. And of those who do, fewer are opting for a career in hospitality at the end of their course. Many hotel management colleges report that their students are opting for higher studies, or accepting roles in other customer service-oriented industries like retail, airlines, multiplexes, banks, insurance and so on. The ‘typical’ career path that was prescribed for a hospitality graduate was to join a hotel after graduation and work their way up in the department of their choice. This path, at least in India, is arduous, low-paying, mentally taxing, and growth can tend to be slow. And this is one of the main reasons for the low interest in this industry among youth.
However, India’s distinction as not only the most populous country in the world but also the country with the highest young population (over 50 percent of Indians are below the age of 30) makes it one of the most attractive hiring markets in the world. Many developed countries are seeing a steady and drastic drop in population, as well as an ageing of their people. This leads to growing pressure on finding employable resources. In this favourable equation for young Indians lie a plethora of possibilities for their career development.
Internship / Training in the USA
The US has a distinct visa category called the J1 visa for internships and training in the country. This is a way to address their serious labour shortage while also giving young overseas professionals a chance to have a cultural immersion into the US. Recent hospitality graduates can secure an internship in a hotel, country club or restaurant for a period of up to one year. Besides attractive hourly wages, benefits and perks, the programme has a weekly work cap of 40 hours so that the intern can take time out for a cultural experience of the country. Candidates who have graduated and gained a few years of work experience may qualify as trainees with similar terms. This is an excellent opportunity for young hospitality professionals to not only gain work experience with well known hotel brands, Michelin-starred restaurants and luxury country clubs across the US but also earn and save a considerable amount. The experience will undoubtedly give their global career a solid boost. It is strongly recommended that candidates apply only through reputed and verified agencies in India, after doing the necessary reference checks.
Ausbildung (Internship) in Germany
Germany offers an attractive vocational training programme under the Ausbildung scheme for students of all nationalities. Students can gain practical on-the-job experience as well as theoretical knowledge over a period of three years through a collaboration between employers and educational institutions. At the end of the Ausbildung programme, the student will have gained solid work experience as well as theoretical education. In almost all cases, the student is able to secure a permanent job and stay on in Germany, with the option of working towards Permanent Residency and citizenship. For young hospitality professionals, there are lucrative opportunities under Ausbildung with hotels, meat processing companies, processed food manufacturers and allied sectors. One of the prerequisites for this programme is an intermediate level of fluency in the German language. The best agencies in India also offer German language training built into the application process.
Cruise Liners
In the international cruise liner industry, India is considered one of the largest recruitment hubs. The ability of Indian crew members to work hard, learn quickly, communicate in English, assimilate to new conditions and engage with a global workforce are all attractive attributes that the industry looks for. Post pandemic, cruise companies are seeing robust growth in business and have ambitious growth plans, with more ships being introduced every year. This translates into more job opportunities for Indian youth. The cruise industry offers a safe, professional and lucrative career where one can hone their skills working with the best in the world and understand international work practices. Many of India’s finest hospitality professionals have sharpened their skills aboard a cruise liner at some point in their careers.
Emerging international markets
The global hospitality industry is at an inflection point after suffering through the pandemic phase. Markets across the world are seeing a strong rebound in travel, and companies (and governments) are making bullish plans for the future. While the US, UK, Australia and Canada have been among the sought-after destinations for young Indians, today there are many more emerging options with attractive prospects. Saudi Arabia has embarked on a development plan of epic proportions to showcase itself as a tourist destination, with a strong thrust on hotels, infrastructure and experiential attractions. Several thousand jobs are being created there at this very moment. The UAE, Malta, Japan, Africa, Eastern European and Scandinavian countries are all grappling with a shortage of skilled professionals. These present relatively newer territories for young Indians to build their careers – and lives. Young chefs have even more avenues to explore in flight kitchens, industrial kitchens, restaurants and entrepreneurship. A high school student who is passionate about joining the hospitality industry should be aware of all these attractive opportunities while making up their minds. For recent or soon-to-be graduates, the choices may seem daunting but also present a global buffet of opportunities for them to capitalise on.
