What project?
MERIT – Meaningful Employee Experience in the Hospitality and Event Industry project develops solutions to the recruitment and retention challenges in the hospitality and event industry (restaurant, hotel, and tourism services, event and experience production).
The main goal of the project is to strengthen the attractiveness and retention of the industry by developing meaningful employee experiences and leadership skills, particularly to meet the needs of Generation Y and Z.
The project operates nationwide and its implementation period is from 1.9.2024-31.8.2026.
The project is carried out in collaboration with LAB University of Applied Sciences (main implementer), Tampere University of Applied Sciences, and Lapland University of Applied Sciences. The project is funded by the European Social Fund (ESF+).
Project Measures
The measures include development surveys, interviews, workshops, online training, and webinars aimed at industry companies, supervisors, employees, and job seekers. The measures are divided into five work packages:
Work Package 1:
Identify the development needs related to meaningful employee experiences in the hospitality and event industry by sector and create a situational overview of the development areas.
Work Package 2:
Survey and investigate supervisors’ views on the meaningfulness of work and the development needs of its management (Lapland, South Karelia, Päijät-Häme, and Pirkanmaa). Plan and implement a joint online training for supervisors in these regions.
Work Package 3:
Plan and implement 4+2 open online workshops for employees in the hospitality and event industry. The workshops will be conducted nationwide, in English if necessary, and in small groups specific to sectors or regions. Additionally, plan and implement a webinar series or podcast series on managing meaningful employee experiences.
Work Package 4:
Identify, create, and document practical models and tools to promote meaningful employee experiences in workplaces. Develop a continuity and collaboration model among the project participants. Implement the results.
Work Package 5:
Implement the organization of the project and related measures, communication, and documentation.
Project Main Outcome
The main outcome of the project is a scalable operational model (electronic guide) that promotes meaningful employee experiences in the hospitality and event industry. The guide includes examples of sector-specific development paths, supervisor personas, and employee profiles, tools tested in the project, and a model for strengthening recruitment skills and working conditions in the hospitality and event industry.
Project Steering Group:
Service Union United PAM, Finnish Hospitality Association MaRa, Event Industry Association of Finland, Association of Finnish Travel Industry SMAL, Eventum Lahti, Helsinki Music Centre, Santa’s Hotel, Imatra Spa, Särkänniemi, LAB University of Applied Sciences Ltd, Lapland University of Applied Sciences, Tampere University of Applied Sciences, City of Tampere, Central Finland ELY Centre.
