Image: Susie Ellis, chair and chief executive of GSWS

A new report has been published to help the global spa industry deal with a gap between job opportunities and qualified candidates.

The Spa Management Workforce & Education: Addressing Market Gaps report, released by the Global Spa and Wellness Summit (GSWS), examines the difficulties the industry faces in hiring qualified management personnel.

Developed by SRI International (founded as Stanford Research Institute) for the GSWS, the report identifies the root cause of a high demand for talent and proposes recommendations to address the workforce gap.

The report shows that while there are 130,000-180,000 spa managers working in the industry globally, only 4,000 students are currently enrolled in some form of spa management education or training programme.

The report was commissioned by the GSWS after 95 per cent of delegates attending its 2011 Summit reported lack of training/education was the greatest challenge facing the industry, and hiring qualified spa managers and directors the largest obstacle to the continued growth of their own businesses.

Katherine Johnston, senior economist at SRI, said: "We think these findings are a wake-up call to an industry dependent on providing the highest personal service and professional standards, and one where people are its greatest asset.

"It's clear that the number of spa management-related degree programs is not meeting industry needs."

GSWS chair and CEO Susie Ellis added: "Spa management is an especially challenging career, requiring a critical mix of business and people skills.

"Many managers and directors may have a passion for spa, but passion is not enough. They need business, entrepreneurial, financial - and superb communication - skills, and they must be flexible, often willing to move and work long hours.

"On the other hand, it's one of the most enjoyable and personally rewarding careers in the world."

To download the full report, click here.