AN EMPLOYMENT SNAG MAY HIT LAS VEGAS IN THE NEW HIRING PROCEEDURE

Implications: The problem with all the new properties being opened over the next few years could create a people void. There may be more jobs than employees to fill the positions. The scramble won't be for the applicants - it will be for the new properties and the casinos that have their people move to the newer more desirable jobs. Interesting scenario.......

Analysis: Here is the dilemma that will face the new hotel and casino properties opening in the next few years. Where will they get the skilled people to run these properties. The move over the past few years has been to hire young, attractive people to run and fill important job titles - that is, regardless of their talent and knowledge. Most casinos have neglected their older staff that have the know how and skill to do the job. Can there be an age discrimination in the casino industry? What a thought - the answer is - generally a property will choose to hire raw young talent in place of their older and generally very talented  people that have had years and years of solid casino experience. It is just the way it is. Maybe, with the influx of so many new Mega resorts due to open soon they will change their attitude. It's often been the thought that a bunch of warm bodies would create the atmosphere of getting things done - save money on their payroll as the cost of these warm bodies is half of the experienced employees. The general attitude is, so what - we will overcome  all mistakes by the volume of business and the guests really don't seem to mind. Well, maybe they do and maybe they don't - my thought is the customer generally does mind.

There are a vast number of properties on the lookout for staff. Just a short reminder of what is in the offing. The Sands is opening their new property the Palazzo, Wynn Resorts is moving quite rapidly to open their new Encore. The Frontier will be looking to staff their new resort, The Boyd group has started construction on the Echelon mega property
and the MGM/Mirage is under way with their new CityCenter mega resort - Harrah's has not yet made a move on their 350 acres on the strip, but it's coming and MGM will have another project on the North strip at Sahara Avenue. There will also be another project that will start soon next to the Sahara Hotel where Wet & Wild water park was located. Get the picture??? Where will they get the experienced staff to operate these places? Remember that if employees transfer from a property to hook up with one of these new hotels, they must be replaced at their original place of employment.

So what's the future going to look like? My thoughts are that all the line employees will be easier to fill then the executive staff. The casino business is a very specialized and highly tedious form of industry. The general thought may be, don't worry, we can get experience from other industries - I disagree - it take a lot of very specialized training to get the people needed to run these joints. Properties that have a real interest in maintaining the highest quality of service have continuing educations and training programs for their employees. It keeps all on their toes and up to date on new methods and ideas. The next few years will be interesting and the stealing of qualified people from one property to another will certainly continue. Where will it all end - Don't think it will.........