CPCC, hotel industry help fill housekeeping jobs

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The hotel industry is booming in Charlotte, but it is facing a big challenge -- finding employees.

Nearly 800 hospitality jobs are open in the CharlottE metro area.

The industry is teaming up with Central Piedmont Community College to fill a void and get people employed.

Sabrina Monroe, a room attendant at the Dunhill Hotel uptown, never imagined a career in hospitality until she discovered the housekeeping certificate program at CPCC.

“They actually told us on the first day of class that you're guaranteed a job at the end of the program,” Monroe said.

Housekeepers clean about 17,500 rooms on an average day in Charlotte, and there are 350 current housekeeping positions available.

That need will only grow with more hotels opening across the city.

“One of the biggest needs is finding quality candidates to fill our needs, run out hotels and keep us going and growing,” Tracey Milcarek, with the Hilton Charlotte Center City, said.

Housekeeping is its biggest department, she said.

“Our hotel is enjoying close to 80 percent occupancy, which is great for the industry,” Milcarek said. “That means our hotels are busy.”

The Charlotte Hotel Association hopes teaming up with CPCC will help them fill positions and put more people like Monroe on a new career path.

CPCC'S next housekeeping certificate program begins Oct. 6. Many hotels will actually cover the cost of tuition.

For more information, click here.

Cox Media Group