By Daniel McCoy, MBA, SHRM-CP, VAW Certified
In the fast-paced and ever-evolving restaurant industry, staying ahead of the competition requires constant adaptation and innovation. With high turnover rates and a competitive job market, retaining skilled employees is a significant challenge for food businesses. Upskilling and reskilling strategies can be powerful tools to enhance employee engagement, increase productivity, reduce turnover and contribute significantly to the overall success and sustainability of restaurant operations.
The Importance of Upskilling and Reskilling
Employee retention is a major concern in the food industry, where job dissatisfaction and limited career growth opportunities often lead to high attrition rates. High turnover is not a good look in your restaurant and can be very expensive. Recruiting and keeping good employees is a constant challenge for the restaurant owner. As the cost of hiring and retaining good employees increases, business owners are looking at other ways to retain staff.
Upskilling and reskilling offer several benefits, including:
- Increased employee engagement & satisfaction – Employees who see growth opportunities within their organization are more likely to stay motivated and committed to their roles, which leads to higher job satisfaction, retention, and productivity.
- Reduced hiring costs – Training existing employees is often more cost-effective than recruiting and onboarding new hires. Recruiting and hiring new employees can cost upwards of 50% of their salary.
- Improved adaptability – The food industry is subject to rapid changes in consumer trends, technology, and health regulations. A well-trained workforce can quickly adapt to these shifts.
- Enhanced employer “brand” – Companies known for investing in employee development attract and retain top talent more effectively.
- Meeting customer expectations – Equip employees with the knowledge and skills to deliver personalized service, understand diverse dietary needs, and stay updated on trends like sustainability and technology integration.
- Boosting operational efficiency – Well-trained staff handle tasks more efficiently.
Strategies for Effective Upskilling and Reskilling
There are several ways to implement such a program in your restaurant. The most common is on-the-job training, giving hands-on experience in real work environments. Collaborative learning, or encouraging employees to learn from each other through group activities, discussions, and shared experiences, can be very beneficial. Peer learning fosters teamwork and allows employees to benefit from diverse perspectives and expertise. Some restaurant owners are using workshops and seminars that offer their employees interactive sessions with industry experts.
You may also opt for a tailored training program, where you develop programs specific to the needs of your own restaurant and its employees. In today’s world of Artificial Intelligence, some operators are choosing to leverage technology by utilizing AI-powered platforms to help them develop personalized and efficient training.
Encourage your employees to pursue further education and professional development by fostering a continuous learning culture in your restaurant. Establishing programs that promote continuous learning, such as regular training sessions, refresher courses, and access to educational resources can ensure that your employees stay updated on industry trends and best practices.
Make sure to reward and recognize your employees. Providing incentives such as tuition reimbursement, bonuses, and career advancement opportunities will motivate employees to engage in training programs that you offer. Recognizing their achievements and skills development can boost morale and encourage further learning. While these initiatives come with a cost of time and money, the payoff can be well worth it.
Implementing Upskilling and Reskilling Programs
What do I do first? First you must review and determine where the skill gaps are on your team by identifying the skills your employees currently possess and determining areas for improvement. Then you can create programs tailored to your workforce’s needs, including honing culinary skills, technology proficiency, customer service excellence, and leadership and management.
In my experience, I have found a blended approach to training works best and keeps the employee engaged. Combine different learning methods such as on-the-job training, workshops, online learning platforms, and mentorship. Be sure to reward and recognize achievements along the way, offering financial rewards as well as social recognition. For some, recognition is as important as the increase in pay.
Have a goal for the employee to work towards, maybe a position of authority. Your restaurant might not currently have room for multiple managers or even assistant managers, but it is difficult to grow without an organizational structure that has current and future management possibilities for employees to work toward. Taking the available talent that is already in-house and increasing their skill set can help you solve problems now and down the road.
Upskilling and reskilling are essential strategies for retaining talent in the food industry. By investing in employee development, companies can enhance job satisfaction, increase efficiency, and reduce turnover. Implementing well-structured training programs and fostering a learning culture will ensure employees remain engaged, motivated, and prepared for future challenges. Upskilling and Reskilling offers a lower cost way of keeping employees engaged and satisfaction levels higher.
Daniel McCoy, MBA, SHRM-CP, VAW Certified, is a Senior Business Consultant at University of Georgia’s Small Business Development Center at Kennesaw State University.
