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Bars and restaurants are turning to Venezuelan immigrants to fill more than 1.500 open positions due to a shortage of qualified local workers. The rise in tourism and the lack of qualified professionals are driving this trend, which promises to transform the state's food industry.
In the current scenario of Espírito Santo, a trend has been attracting attention in the bar and restaurant sector.
Local entrepreneurs are adopting innovative strategies to overcome challenges that directly affect customer service and the quality of services offered.
One such approach involves hiring professionals who bring with them diverse experiences and a remarkable willingness to work..
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A shortage of skilled labor has been a significant obstacle to the growth of the food sector in Espírito Santo.
According to the Union of Restaurants, Bars and Similar Establishments of Espírito Santo (Sindbares), There are currently more than 1.500 open positions in the state, especially for positions such as kitchen assistant, cook, waiter and bartender.
To meet this demand, many establishments are resorting to hiring Venezuelan immigrants.
A notable example is a bar in the capital that recently brought together dozens of Venezuelans in various roles.
Economic scenario and growing demand
The increase in the flow of tourists during the holidays and high season boosted the revenue of bars and restaurants across the country.
According to the Brazilian Association of Bars and Restaurants (Abrasel), an increase of up to 15% is expected in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year.
To meet this growing demand, many companies need to expand their teams.
However, 89% of Brazilian businesspeople in the sector consider it “difficult” or “very difficult” to fill open positions with qualified candidates..
Challenges in hiring local labor
In the Holy Spirit, the lack of qualified local labor has been a constant concern for business owners over the past three years. Rodrigo Vervloet, president of Sindbares, highlights:
“There is a huge gap between the supply of labor and the needs of the sector. This lack of labor hinders the growth of the bar and restaurant sector as a whole, limiting the capacity for expansion and new investments. Today, we have more than 1.500 job openings throughout the state.”.
The difficulties are particularly evident in positions such as kitchen assistant, cook, waiter and barman.
Bet on professional qualification
To overcome the problem of labor shortage, Sindbares has invested in professional qualification in partnership with institutions such as Senac, offering courses and training for professionals in the sector.
Vervloet emphasizes: “It is a sector that, by its nature, employs a lot. These professional training courses have been fundamental, but we still have a large deficit, including hindering major investments due to a lack of labor. The big challenge is to overcome informality.”.
The contribution of Venezuelan immigrants
Given the difficulty in finding qualified local professionals, many establishments are hiring Venezuelan immigrants to meet demand.
These workers have shown themselves willing to work in different roles in the kitchen and in customer service.
The integration of these professionals not only helps fill open positions, but also enriches the work environment with cultural diversity and new perspectives..
Future prospects for the sector
A hiring Venezuelan immigrants has proven to be an effective solution to fill the labor shortage in the bar and restaurant sector in Espírito Santo.
However, It is essential that entrepreneurs continue to invest in professional qualifications and seek strategies to attract and retain local talent.
The combination of a diverse and well-trained workforce is essential to ensuring sustainable growth and excellence in customer service..
According to experts, the shortage of skilled labor in the bar and restaurant sector in Espírito Santo represents a significant challenge for local entrepreneurs.
Hiring Venezuelan immigrants has been a viable alternative to meet the demand for professionals, especially in positions such as kitchen assistant, cooker, waiter and bartender.
However, It is crucial that the sector continues to invest in professional qualifications and develop strategies to attract and retain talent., thus ensuring sustainable growth and maintaining the quality of the services provided.
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