On Tuesday, May 25, the New Hampshire Lodging & Restaurant Association (NHLRA) will host an in-person Hospitality and Tourism Job Fair for the Southern New Hampshire region. It is an event particularly suited for high school students at any one of the state’s 28 Career and Technical Education (CTE) centers. “Now more than ever, our state’s CTE students are very valuable to the hospitality and tourism industry,” said NHLRA’s Amie Pariseau. “CTE students are passionate and ambitious. They can arrive on day one with skills in hand and the desire to learn more.”

As guidelines have lifted, she said NHLRA and the hospitality and industry itself are now faced with “the next crisis.” “It is no exaggeration that the industry is very short staffed, and people are very worried about being able to be open for their guests or burning out their existing staff,” she said.

Designed to provide high school students with experiential learning opportunities, often in real-world settings, the state’s CTE centers provide numerous programs with many directly connected to hospitality and tourism. “The hospitality and tourism industry is actively hiring,” said Pariseau. “While the opportunity to make good money has always been there, this summer looks to be one of the highest pay scale jumps we have seen in recent years.”

At the Job Fair, which is free, more than 3-dozen employers are expected in attendance. Registration is encouraged but not required. The Hospitality and Tourism Job Fair takes place at DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown on Tuesday, May 25 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Click here to register online, or contact Pariseau at 603.228.9585 or apariseau@nhlra.com for more information.

“Whether you are a student or someone looking at hospitality as a possible career path, the industry is a wonderful opportunity to gain responsibility, accountability, and customer service skills,” said Pariseau. “You can take these skills wherever you go in life.”