A new company dedicated to assisting the NZ tourism industry with its current and future skills and talent shortage is being launch this month. Tourism Talent has been established by Jason Hill (formerly of ATEED and Tourism NZ), and Dylan Rushbrook, (formerly of SKYCITY and Heritage & CityLife Hotels) who have joined forces with Nuwanthie Samarakone, CEO of ICE, a talent development agency with offices in Auckland, Asia and Europe.
The new business will cover a range of services over time and is a talent development and talent connection marketplace specifically for the tourism sector.
The New Zealand tourism industry is facing a critical skills shortage according to Tourism Industry Aotearoa and will need to fill up to 47,000 tourism roles by 2025 to meet the anticipated demand.
Hill saw a gap in the market to create an online platform connecting tourism businesses, to experienced professionals, or up and coming talent who have studied tourism. Samarakone and Rushbrook bought their experiences and networks to the team and the result is a company that will offer executive recruitment, hospitality temping services, an online “gig” marketplace, and an online mentoring platform full of video content for free.
“From the original concept, we have now created a one stop shop for the tourism industry to attract and find future talent” says Hill. “From career pathways, tips and tricks via our ‘digital’ mentors, right up to placing the senior leaders of the tourism industry, there isn’t a part of the talent development process we won’t be covering”
Developing the ‘gig’ connect platform requires investment in development and will not be available from launch. Once ready, the platform will connect New Zealanders with relevant skills and experiences, but who may not have the ability to work full time, into tourism businesses who want part time roles, maternity cover, projects and the like, and start moving to a new way of working and thinking about talent deployment.
Samarakone has built successful and trusted talent development business in key international markets and she doesn’t just put any candidate into a role. Samarakone says “It needs to be the right fit for both parties and clear development plans laid out from the start. You get that by understanding your clients’ needs and finding the best talent that fits that culture. We want to help candidates into roles they will love and help organisations get the best from all their talent.”
Rushbrook, who will drive the business in the early stages as Managing Director, brought the concept of developing a library of ‘digital’ mentors, who share their knowledge, tips and experience for anyone wanting to know more about a career in the tourism industry. He says “we know the education system is failing the country’s largest export earner by not understanding what a tourism career can be. We are determined to work with the sector and education providers to raise awareness of what incredible careers await those willing to put in some hard work.”
“Early feedback and conceptual support for Tourism Talent from tertiary providers and industry leaders so far has been very encouraging” says Rushbrook.
Tourism Talent will be officially launched in November 2018.
ENDS
For more information please contact;
Dylan Rushbrook
0212850625
dylan@synergytourism.co.nz
Bios
Dylan Rushbrook, Managing Director of Tourism Talent, Director of Synergy Tourism Consulting
Over 20 year’s experience in tourism and hospitality operations, including senior roles with Scenic Hotel Group, SKYCITY Entertainment Group and Heritage and CityLife Hotels. A founding board member of the Young Tourism Export Council of New Zealand and chair for two years during which time he pushed for tourism to be recognized as a professional career. Dylan is currently a board member of Tourism Export Council of New Zealand.
Jason Hill, Director Tourism Talent, Managing Partner at Tourism Investment Partners, Managing Director Meneth Consulting Over 25 year’s experience in the New Zealand and Japanese tourism industry across marketing, management and governance in the private and public sectors, including senior roles at Auckland Tourism, Events, and Economic Development, Tourism New Zealand, and Christchurch Tourism. Fluent in Japanese and extensive travel and work experience across Asia. Jason also sits on multiple advisory boards assisting organisations achieve quality governance.
Nuwanthie Samarakone, Director of Tourism Talent, CEO of ICE
Over 10 year’s experience in recruitment and talent development. Nuwanthie’s company ICE operates offices in New Zealand, United Kingdom, Singapore and Sri Lanka. The focus is on early talent identification and development, matching the right talent with the right role. Nuwanthie sits on multiple advisory boards assisting government, tertiary education providers and commercial businesses understand how to work with the changing workforce.