The slopes are good – the staff situation is unstable: Fires break out, especially in the kitchens, at the beginning of the winter season

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Anyway, full equipment with ski boots and back armor will not be good. Worse still, when there’s a drink, schnitzel and chips on a tray along the slippery terraces of ski restaurants. Skiers have had to experience more self-service and less at-the-table service over the past two years; From what Blick has heard from the ski areas, it’s likely the same this year. Likewise, longer wait times for lunch, reduced menus and even days off in extreme cases. A shortage of skilled workers is to blame, and this ski winter is no different. While the first slopes are being prepared, the ski areas continue to search for personnel this season.

“The shortage of skilled workers is a big task,” says Mario Bislin (65), managing director of Bergbahnen Flumserberg in eastern Switzerland. The staffing market is frozen and the kitchen in particular is in flames.

The cook is mostly missing

Reto Wyss (54), head of guest services at the Arosa Lenzerheide ski area in Graubuster, confirmed this to Blick: “The situation among the kitchen staff is very tense.” It is difficult to find candidates who have completed their education and have professional experience. In “Südostschweiz”, Philipp Holenstein (59), Vice President of Bergbahnen Graubsunu, says in “Südostschweiz” that in some cases this ski winter guests will have to order their food and drinks at the counter and collect them themselves later. It is said that there will be rest days at restaurants in low season in Laax GR upon request.

Even in Valais there are almost no applications. Grächen and St. “The recruitment phase in the catering industry is not yet complete,” explains Niklaus Tourismus Roman Rogenmoser (44). There are also vacancies in the catering sector in Andermatt-Sedrun UR and Melchsee-Frutt OW.

The kitchen isn’t the only problem area

Meanwhile, as the Laax example shows, it is not just the kitchen that is in crisis. “We feel the shortage of skilled workers, especially in technical professions,” says Haempa Maissen, spokeswoman for the Weisse Arena Group. It is not that easy to find electricians, cable car mechatronics engineers and mechanics in the mountains, which are professions where specialized training is absolutely necessary.

But there is also hopeful news. For example, with the hoteliers of Graubunden. Last winter season, 10 percent of all positions were vacant. “Six percent of all jobs are currently still open,” says Ernst Wyrsch (62), President of Hotelleriesuisse Graubeğen.

Here’s what makes hiring difficult: “Housing is limited for those working in ski areas,” Wyrsch continues. During Corona, many people turned their rental apartments into Airbnb. These are not cost-effective for employees in the long run. In addition to Obersaxen Mundaun GR, winter fortress Zermatt VS also reports the same issue.

Solutions are needed

Open positions, few specialists – this also requires vitamin B. “Personal contacts are very important when looking for employees,” confirms Pizolbahnen CEO Klaus Nussbaumer (52). The situation is no different in Central Switzerland. The importance of the individual network in the Engelberg-Titlis ski area is also emphasized.

A new approach is being followed at Flumserberg SG. “We have learned from the last few years and are focusing more and more on education,” explains Bislin. Mountain railways want to encourage these employees to work in the mountains again next year through training.

You are offered the opportunity to help service the dishwasher and vegetable washer in the kitchen next year. Bislin: “Even if we have to spend money like this, there are two winners in the end.” We shouldn’t forget the third winner: ski enthusiasts.

Source :Blick