As Bangladesh's tourism and hospitality sectors grow, they are becoming key pillars of the national economy, with significant potential for future development. This growth, however, reveals a critical challenge-a severe shortage of skilled workers. This gap affects service quality and reduces operational efficiency in the hospitality industry across the country. Addressing this issue requires a strategic partnership between the hospitality industry and educational institutions. By working together, they can create a workforce equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to meet the dynamic demands of this thriving sector. This collaboration promises continuous learning and professional growth, ensuring the long-term sustainability and global competitiveness of Bangladesh's hospitality industry.

The hospitality sector in Bangladesh faces a clear mismatch between the demand for skilled workers and the available supply. Many positions remain vacant due to a lack of suitable candidates, leading to concerns about service quality and operational efficiency. This skills gap jeopardizes customer satisfaction and tarnishes the reputation of hospitality firms, ultimately discouraging future business. Several factors contribute to this skills shortage. The current educational curriculum often fails to align with the practical needs of the hospitality industry. Many academic programs lack the specific training required to prepare students for their roles. Additionally, there is limited access to specialized training that bridges the gap between general education and the unique skills needed in the hospitality sector. The lack of coordination between industry and academia exacerbates these issues, leaving many graduates unprepared for their jobs.

Addressing the skills gap requires a strategic collaboration between educational institutions and industry leaders. By developing tailored training programs, educational institutions can equip students with both fundamental service skills and advanced training in areas such as customer relationship management, digital booking systems, and culinary arts. The Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) in Switzerland provides an excellent example of how academic and industry collaboration can enhance hospitality training. EHL maintains close connections with prominent hospitality companies, shaping its curriculum and offering students practical training through internships, ensuring that skills taught are directly applicable to industry demands.

Establishing certifications that meet international standards can further ensure the competitiveness of the workforce, both locally and globally. These certifications act as benchmarks for skill competencies, ensuring that staff are competitive in the global market. Singapore's Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) framework, designed in collaboration with industry leaders, is an exemplary model that has successfully boosted skill levels, labor mobility, and service standards. Investment in continuous professional development is also essential. Ongoing training programs can help current employees stay updated with the latest industry practices and innovations, fostering a knowledgeable and innovative workforce. Many international hotel chains, like Marriott and Hilton, offer continuous training programs for their employees to keep them abreast of industry trends and best practices.

Government support is vital for educational reforms and fostering industry-academia collaboration. Policies that fund hospitality training programs, provide scholarships, and offer incentives to educational institutions and hospitality firms can facilitate greater engagement in these initiatives. Enacting regulations that provide tax exemptions or grants to educational institutions and hotel firms can encourage greater participation in training programs. The hospitality industry must also recognize the long-term benefits of investing in staff development. Active participation in curriculum design and offering internships and practical training opportunities can ensure that educational programs remain relevant to industry needs. Leading hotels in Bangladesh could partner with educational institutions to provide internship opportunities, allowing students to gain hands-on experience and practical skills.

A robust framework for monitoring and evaluation is necessary to ensure the effectiveness and relevance of educational programs. Periodic assessments of training programs, feedback mechanisms from participants, and adjustments based on industry needs are crucial for maintaining the quality of hospitality education. Regularly assessing training programs by measuring graduate employment rates, employer satisfaction, and alumni career progression can help in making necessary adjustments to the curriculum.

Successful international models provide valuable insights for improving hospitality training in Bangladesh. The National Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (NHTTI) and Dhaka University's Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management have made progress but can benefit from further curriculum modernization and increased industry partnerships. Implementing mentorship programs that connect students with industry professionals can promote significant knowledge sharing and networking. Bangladesh has a number of strategic options for building on these accomplishments. First, boosting industry participation in educational programs is critical to ensuring that they meet current market expectations. This could entail holding regular meetings with hospitality businesses to update curricula and instructional approaches. Furthermore, increasing internship and training opportunities in both local and international hospitality organizations will give students real hands-on experience to supplement their academic learning. Mentorship programs that connect students with industry professionals can also promote significant knowledge sharing and networking.

Finally, implementing more stringent assessment and certification systems that meet international standards will improve graduates' global employability, offering up additional work prospects around the world. These actions will considerably strengthen the foundation of Bangladesh's hospitality education system, preparing students for professional success. By evaluating and learning from these case studies, Bangladesh will be able to adapt and implement proven tactics for developing a highly qualified hospitality workforce capable of propelling the sector forward with improved service quality and operational excellence.

Developing the skills and expertise of Bangladesh's hospitality workforce is essential for enhancing service quality and contributing to economic development. A skilled workforce leads to higher customer satisfaction, improved efficiency, and a stronger global reputation. Stakeholders in education and hospitality must collaborate to create targeted educational programs and ongoing development opportunities. Investing in our people now will ensure a future where Bangladesh's hospitality industry is world-renowned. Let us take action today to make this vision a reality.

Dr. Mohammad Shahidul Islam, Assistant Professor of Marketing, BRAC Business School, BRAC University. E-mail: mohd.sh.islam@bracu.ac.bd