MANY SPA OWNERS are finding the ability to meet the increasing demand for services is limited by the supply of qualified, job-ready therapists. This is the downside to healthy growth in the spa industry. In fact, according to the ISPA 2011 U. S. Spa Industry Study, the number of spas has grown from 4,140 in 1999 to 19,900 in 2010 in the U. S. alone.
MANY SPA OWNERS are finding the ability to meet the increasing demand for services is limited by the supply of qualified, job-ready therapists. This is the downside to healthy growth in the spa industry. In fact, according to the ISPA 2011 U. S. Spa Industry Study, the number of spas has grown from 4,140 in 1999 to 19,900 in 2010 in the U. S. alone.
“ This is driving unprecedented demand for certified and licensed spa therapists, spa managers, and support staff,” indicates Su Gibson, spa management lecturer at Conrad N. Hilton College at the University of Houston and organizer of the Houston Spa Association.
“ O ur industry is also expanding globally,” adds Alex Zotos, director and CEO of Elly Lukas Beauty Therapy College in Melbourne, Australia.“ Today’ s workers are highly mobile, providing them with greater opportunity for locating internationally. Savvy therapists access employment opportunities through web recruitment to obtain international positions. Also, Generation Y gets bored easily and sees movement as a way toward greater stimulation and career advancement.”
It’ s also extremely difficult to go outside the industry to find workers. Spa work is so specialized, investing the necessary time and money to train inexperienced hands-on therapists from unrelated industries is not cost-effective or time-efficient. Quite simply, schools are not graduating enough qualified applicants to keep up with spa growth.
Because each spa is unique, it can be challenging to find applicants who not only have the education, skills, certifications, licenses, and availability required, but who also have the right temperament, attitude, and nature to attend to your spa customers and fit in with the spa team. This can make some spa directors feel desperate to fill a position, especially when it has been vacant for some time. However, resist the temptation.“ Don’ t fill the position with the first applicant who meets the basic requirements if he or she is not exactly what you’ re seeking,” advises Gibson.“ In some cases, this may turn out to be a good choice, but
May 2012 ■ PULSE 29