Pulse October 2017 | Page 36

SoLvINg INduStry ProBLEMS Spa Industry Unites Next Generation of Leaders By ASHLEy ALt ith the gap between the abundance of job opportunities and lack of qualified candidates only increasing, spa professionals are left with quite a challenge. With the many benefits a career in spa offers, how we can we articulate the unique industry opportunities to the next generation of leaders? Taking the prevalent controversy head- on, industry leaders are coming together W 34 PULSE ■ October 2017 through innovative programs to under- stand why workforce shortage continues to be an issue, and figure out how to refashion the concern. The ISPA U.S. Spa Industry Study reports nearly 33,000 job openings are available in the spa sector, while the U.S. Department of Labor projects spa and salon growth between 10 and 20 percent over the next decade. As promotion of careers in the spa industry will be an important initiative for ISPA’s future, industry leaders and members’ commitment to propelling spa forward starts and ends with the people a part of it. Industry professionals are working to piece the puzzle together through three innovative initiatives – the Global Mentorship Program, Beauty Changes Lives campaign and Mary Tabacchi scholarship. 1. GMP is Guiding and Inspiring Spa Leadership Global Mentorship Program (GMP) is an initiative of the Global Wellness Institute