BANGOR DAILY NEWS • September 15, 2021
Maine’s leading hospitality industry group released a five-year plan Wednesday that aims to change how restaurants and lodging establishments attract and keep workers by focusing on education and career-building. The nonprofit HospitalityMaine Education Foundation released the plan, which envisions the industry, government and educators collaborating to align education with needed job skills. The hospitality industry lost 13,000 workers during the pandemic as restaurants and hotels curtailed business and laid off employees. After the state lifted restrictions, many hotels and restaurants saw business return to or even exceed pre-pandemic levels this summer, but worker shortages continue to limit activities.