Hyatt Hotels is celebrating a significant milestone in its RiseHY programme, a global initiative designed to connect young people with fulfilling careers in hospitality.

Since its launch in 2018, 5,700 individuals classified as “Opportunity Youth” – those aged between 16 and 24 who are neither employed nor in education – have been hired by Hyatt or Hyatt-affiliated hotels.

This achievement marks a major step towards Hyatt’s goal of hiring 10,000 young people from the Opportunity Youth cohort by 2025.

Hyatt’s commitment to youth development comes against a backdrop of significant youth unemployment. According to the International Labour Organisation, 23% of young people globally are unemployed, highlighting the need for programmes that bridge the gap between young talent and workforce opportunities.

Focus on retention and upskilling

Beyond recruitment, Hyatt said RiseHY emphasises retaining young talent by providing ongoing support and growth opportunities.

400 Hyatt hotels across 65 countries actively participate in the programme, offering participants access to skills training and internal job postings.

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This focus on retention is particularly important in the hospitality industry, which grapples with a high average staff turnover rate of between 70% and 80%. This compares to the national average of 10% to 15%.

Building bridges with community partners

Hyatt collaborates with community organisations and public-private partnerships to identify and train potential RiseHY participants.

The company, along with the Hyatt Hotels Foundation, actively invests in relevant non-profits, donating more than $1m to 30 organisations since 2022.

These partnerships provide young people with vocational training and facilitate their placement within the RiseHY programme.

Empowering career mobility

Hyatt emphasised that RiseHY fosters career growth not just within Hyatt, but across the hospitality industry.

850 participants have transitioned to new roles since the programme’s inception, with many receiving promotions or transferring to different Hyatt properties.

Investing in the future

Hyatt’s commitment to youth development extends beyond RiseHY.

The introduction of the Inclusive Collection further broadens opportunities for young talent by providing entry points at a wider range of Hyatt properties.

Hyatt also leverages technology such as virtual reality to give prospective employees a glimpse into hospitality careers.

Hyatt recognises the value of mentorship and has also established the RiseHY Coach programme in which experienced Hyatt colleagues guide and support young programme participants.

Further bolstering these efforts, the Hyatt Hotels Foundation co-developed the Workplace Mentoring Toolkit, a resource designed to empower hospitality organisations in implementing and managing mentorship programmes.