How to Effectively Hire Students + New Grads For Your Restaurant
In the dynamic world of hospitality, embracing the fresh perspectives and energy of post-secondary students can significantly enhance your restaurant's innovation, efficiency, and service quality. Whether you're looking to fill traditional roles such as chefs, servers, and bartenders, or you're exploring non-traditional positions like marketing specialists, operations managers, or sustainability coordinators, hiring students offers a wealth of benefits, especially with the help of the Work Integrated Learning Grant.
Here's how to do it effectively:
1. Create Clear and Attractive Job Descriptions
Craft job descriptions that resonate with students. Highlight opportunities for learning and growth, flexibility in schedules to accommodate their studies or lifestyle, and any unique benefits your restaurant offers. For non-traditional roles, emphasize the potential for creativity, impact, and involvement in strategic projects.
2. Tap into Relevant Talent Pools
Connect with local colleges and universities, attend job fairs, and utilize online job boards that cater to students. Consider partnerships with hospitality and business programs to create a direct pipeline of talent. Networking with faculty can also uncover promising candidates who are eager to apply their academic knowledge in a real-world setting.
Helpful resources:
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University of Alberta (U of A) - Edmonton
University of Calgary (U of C) - Calgary
University of Lethbridge (U of L) - Lethbridge
Mount Royal University (MRU) - Calgary
MacEwan University - Edmonton
Athabasca University - Athabasca
Alberta University of the Arts (AUArts) - Calgary
Bow Valley College - Calgary
NorQuest College - Edmonton
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) - Calgary
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) - Edmonton
Grande Prairie Regional College - Grande Prairie
Red Deer College - Red Deer
Lakeland College - Vermilion and Lloydminster
Portage College - Lac La Biche, Cold Lake, St. Paul, and Bonnyville
Olds College - Olds
Medicine Hat College - Medicine Hat
Keyano College - Fort McMurray
Northern Lakes College - Slave Lake
Ambrose University - Calgary -
3. Offer Internships and Co-op Positions
Develop structured internship or co-op programs that provide students and new grads with hands-on experience. These positions should offer meaningful work that contributes to both the student's learning and your restaurant's objectives. Successful internships often lead to long-term employment relationships.
4. Focus on Training and Mentorship
Focus on Training and Mentorship: Merge structured training with mentorship to create an environment where post-secondary graduates can thrive. This strategy helps embed your restaurant's standards in new team members and provides them with the mentorship needed to navigate their roles effectively, promoting ongoing personal and professional development.
5. Highlight Career Advancement Opportunities
Many students are looking for roles that offer a clear path to career advancement. Be transparent about how a job in your restaurant can lead to bigger opportunities, both within and beyond traditional hospitality paths. This can be a major draw for ambitious candidates.
6. Timing is Everything
Engaging students before they graduate—through job fairs, internships, or partnerships with educational institutions—can give you a competitive edge. This proactive approach ensures you have access to a pool of motivated individuals ready to transition smoothly into the workforce upon graduation, and some who may even be ready to start as they are finishing up their studies.
7. Leverage Funding Opportunities
Leveraging government funding programs, like the Work Integrated Learning Grant, can significantly offset the costs associated with hiring new graduates. These programs are designed to support employers in providing meaningful work experiences to students and new grads, fostering the next generation of hospitality professionals.
8. Provide Feedback and Encourage Innovation
Create an environment where student employees feel comfortable sharing their ideas and receiving constructive feedback. Encouraging innovation can lead to new and improved ways of operating, from kitchen efficiencies to guest experience enhancements.
By effectively hiring and integrating students into various roles within your restaurant, you not only contribute to their education and career development but also invigorate your business with new ideas and enthusiasm. The diversity of thought and skills that students bring to the table can be a pivotal factor in navigating the challenges and opportunities of the hospitality industry.
The Work Integrated Learning Grant allows restaurants to hire Alberta post-secondary students who are actively seeking roles within the hospitality sector. Become an AHA member today to apply for the $5,000 in grant funding.
