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Despite the fact that youth unemployment is a big issue in the
UK of late, the younger generation do not want a career in the
hospitality industry, can that be right?
Well that is the finding of new research which has been carried out by Livebookings and has set tongues a-wagging across all parts of the sector. Apparently 43 per cent of 16 to 24-year-olds would not consider a job in
hospitality, so why is this and what can be done about it.
In the same research it was found that 40 per cent believe that the work is boring and repetitive with a further 29 per cent seeing it as not being a forward thinking
industry. What a shame for the potential next bright young chefs who could be shaking things up and making the trade their own.
Val Carter, learning and development director for food services provider
Aramark, said: "Our industry is an amazing place for
young people to develop their career. There are so many options, from marketing, IT,
human resources & procurement through to the more traditional roles of restaurant and coffee shop management and culinary positions."
What is clear from the research is that the problem is the perception of the industry from the outside as many people within it find it a fulfilling place to work. It needs to be positively marketed and offer opportunities for younger people to get involved in order to understand the variety on offer. This does not just mean offering apprenticeship opportunities, but ensuring that they are done well and allow the applicant to try out a number of different aspects of the industry.
By doing this they will be able to see which area best suits them and start to mould their own career to fit their interests and desires. Philippe Rossiter, chief executive of the Institute of Hospitality, said: "The trick, of course, is to provide those who do make a start in our sector with such a positive experience that they will never want to leave."
Workers want to feel challenged in their roles and the hospitality industry is well placed to offer this as it encompasses so many different aspects.
Ms Carter said: "There is a
skills shortage at the moment, so we are crying out for young people keen to develop their skills. In this time of high youth unemployment, it must be remembered that there will always be jobs feeding people."
It is up to the industry to market itself in a positive light, as well as the government to support it and
careers advisors and guardians to present it as an option for young people thinking about their future working life. There are a number of different ways to get into the industry, including
on the job training and professional qualifications. All are valid and can suit a variety of candidates well as people approach tasks differently, but advertising them more broadly could help the industry to recruit the talent it needs to move forward.
