ORLANDO, Fla. — CareerSource Central Florida says the hospitality and tourism industries are two top employers in Central Florida, and they both need more workers.
What You Need To Know
Students are learning about careers with hands-on lessons at Orlando hotels, resorts and theme parks
High school students in Orange, Lake and Sumter counties are taking part in the program
Central Florida hospitality and tourism companies need to hire almost 79-thousand workers in the next three years
CareerSource says Florida’s hotels and theme parks need to hire almost 79-thousand workers over the next three years to meet growing customer demands.
Blue flames are firing up culinary delights for high school students learning to cook from a top chef at the Rosen Centre Hotel on International Drive.
Mia Carmichael is a junior at Jones High School, serving up pasta while she takes part in the High School Career Express Program. Instead of reading about careers in school, students are trying out different hospitality jobs.
“I think it’s a great opportunity. A lot of kids don’t know what they want to do or what they want to be, so this opens up plenty of doors,” Carmichael said.
Students are learning how the engineering department maintains the hotel’s HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems. Other teens are honing in on housekeeping skills like making a bed and setting up guest rooms.
Students are learning about careers with hands-on lessons at Orlando hotels, resorts and theme parks. (Spectrum News/Keith Landry)
Marcela Defaria with CareerSource Central Florida says they launched the program for juniors and seniors two years ago.
“The more hands-on that they get, the better experience that they have,” Defaria said.
Participants speak with managers and workers in accounting, customer service, information technology and management to improve skills and understand career options.
“We hope that the students who go through this program really choose to stay here and choose to take on the careers that matter to our community,” Defaria said.
CareerSource is partnering with Addition Financial, Disney, Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, Marriott Vacations Worldwide and Rosen Hotels & Resorts to offer a variety of experiences.
Janice Abrew-Coriano is the director of communications and community impact with Rosen Hotels and Resorts.
“Education has always been a core value of our company and our foundations, and so it was an easy fit,” Abrew-Coriano explained.
Students who stay local and join Orlando companies help them fill thousands of positions to power our hospitality and tourism sectors. CareerSource Central Florida projects Orlando’s amusement and theme parks will hire about 46,400 workers in the next three years, and hotels and motels will hire 32, 500 employees during that time.
Carmichael hopes her classmates visiting Rosen professionals pick up job skills they can use to build their futures.
“I hope they all become successful in life, and they get their dream job that they want to,” she said.
The High School Career Express Program started in Orange County, but now it also serves students in Lake and Sumter counties.