Jewish Vocational Service Launches Hospitality Career Institute

Boston- Jewish Vocational Service (JVS), in partnership with the International Institute of Boston, the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, the Mass Lodging Association, and nine other hospitality employers, have established the Hospitality Career Institute Program (HCI). This program is designed to meet the workforce development needs of the hospitality industry in the greater Boston region.

The hospitality industry is the third largest and fastest growing industry in the State of Massachusetts and currently there is a tremendous need for skilled employees. Prior to the Hospitality Career Institute, significant skills gaps between largely immigrant workers as well as a stagnant labor market, limited the number of those employed in the industry. “By creating this program, we hope to have a significant impact on the hospitality industry of the Commonwealth” says Jerry Rubin, President and CEO of JVS “Our hope is to create a place where people can learn the skills necessary to have a successful career.”

“Key Massachusetts industries like hospitality are becoming more and more dependent on new immigrants to staff positions and ESOL programs for business organizations is a strategic necessity,” said James E. Rooney, Executive Director of the MCCA. “In the hospitality industry, in which person to person interaction is critical; our human capital is our most precious asset. The culture of our organization is enriched by the presence of people of diverse backgrounds.”

The HCI will provide a continuum of pre-employment and career development services for the employers’ entry-level workers. Carolyn Benedict-Drew, the President of the International Institute of Boston notes, “the goal of this program is to allow those, specifically immigrants and non-English speakers, the opportunity to integrate fully into society by giving them the tools they need to succeed in their careers. We are excited to be apart of this wonderful program.”

A recent $500,000 grant from the Work Force Competitiveness Trust Fund will allow JVS and its partners to fill vacancies, provide promotions and pay increases for employees, and improve quality and productivity gains for participating employers. The Fund is designed to support industry-sector projects targeting a particular industry of importance to each region, such as healthcare and travel and tourism. 

For more information on this program or other programs sponsored by JVS, please contact Meghan Buckley at 617-339-3137 or mbuckley@jvs-boston.org