Media Contacts:
Employment Security Department, Janelle Guthrie, APR, director of communications, 360-902-9289, jguthrie@esd.wa.gov
Washington Hospitality Association, Jillian Henze, APR, senior communications manager, 360-956-7279 ext. 124, jillianh@wahospitality.org

 
OLYMPIA, WA – As the hospitality industry ramps up hiring for peak tourism season in Washington, Gov. Jay Inslee has proclaimed May as Careers in Hospitality Month. To recognize that, staff at WorkSource job centers are working with the industry to host hospitality celebrations and hiring events across the state.

It’s a critical time for the hospitality industry because of a worsening industry-wide labor shortage, according to Washington Hospitality Association data. And as hospitality employers gear up for the summer high season, Washington hotels and restaurants are looking to staff up – especially in management positions where employees can earn $60,000 and $70,000 per year.

“The hospitality industry has opportunities at every level – providing entry level positions, lifelong careers, second chances and career-connected learning skills that transfer to other industries,” said Inslee in his Hospitality Month Proclamation.

“Nearly half of all Americans have worked in the hospitality industry at some point in their lives—including me,” said ESD Commissioner Suzi LeVine. “I’m proud ESD and our partners in the WorkSource system can assist this industry and others in finding and growing talent in our state—and I encourage jobseekers to check out opportunities in this industry at the entry-level and beyond.”

To help address the industry’s labor shortage, the Washington Hospitality Association Education Foundation, the Employment Security Department and WorkSource are building partnerships and hosting hiring events and celebrations throughout the state this month.

• Snohomish: 2-4 p.m., May 10, 3201 Smith Ave., Everett
• Skagit: 1-4 p.m., May 15, 2005 East College Way, Mt. Vernon
• Seattle: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., May 20, 2024 3rd Ave., Seattle
• Tri-Cities: 10 a.m.-1 p.m., May 22, Columbia Basin College, Career and Technical Education Building
• Chelan County: Student hospitality careers showcase, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., May 29, Best Western Icicle Inn
• Yakima: 12-4 p.m., May 29, 1205 Ahtanum Ridge Drive, Union Gap
• Mason County: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., May 31, Transit-Community Center, Shelton

Employers looking for workers and those looking to work in the industry can check out the updated hospitality jobs site on the WorkSourceWA.com job match system. It lets employers post hospitality jobs for free – even tapping into WorkSource’s partnerships with LinkedIn and Monster.com -- and provides hundreds of hospitality job postings.

“I’m really proud of the results of Hospitality Months 2017 and 2018, and our partnership with the Employment Security Department,” said Anthony Anton, president and CEO of the Washington Hospitality Association. “At our industry’s time of need, we’re taking ownership of our challenges and paving a way forward to a brighter future for hospitality. We want everyone to know hospitality provides leadership and ownership opportunities, and we take people to $60,000 and beyond. Come join us.”

To post or pursue a job in hospitality, visit www.wahospitalitycareers.com.

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About the Employment Security Department

The Employment Security Department provides communities with inclusive workforce solutions that promote economic resilience and prosperity as part of Washington’s WorkSource system, a statewide partnership of state, local and nonprofit agencies that deliver a wide array of employment and training services for job seekers and employers.  Studies have shown that people who use WorkSource job-search services tend to find work faster and earn more money than those who don’t. WorkSource locations can be found on worksourcewa.com.

About the Washington Hospitality Association Education Foundation

Hospitality is the industry that serves. The Washington Hospitality Association Education Foundation’s mission is to provide wins for the industry by helping our workforce succeed. The nearly 300,000 jobs the industry provides are the backbone of our state’s economy. The foundation, the nonprofit arm of the Washington Hospitality Association, works to get employees into hospitality and train them to their highest potential because the industry is not successful unless its employees are successful.