Hospitality industry looks to recruit more youngsters

Leaders in the hospitality industry will meet local young people at Heathrow Airport on Monday as part of a nationwide campaign to tackle youth unemployment and stimulate economic growth.

The Big Hospitality Conversation aims to bring businesses together with 16 to 24 year olds to stimulate dialogue and encourage more quality work experience, apprenticeships and jobs.

As well as generating work and opportunities in the local ara, the Big Conversation, led by the British Hospitality Association, aims to send a message to the government on the hospitality industry’s contribution to the economic recovery, tackling youth unemployment and stimulating growth.

The Big Conversation Event follows Apprentice Week in which London Mayor Boris Johnson formed a united front with the British Hospitality Association and Whitbread Hotels to announce the pledge of 7,000 new apprenticeships.

Meanwhile, Barclays has partnered with the BHA to support the industry body’s goal of creating 60,000 new jobs in the sector by 2015.

Mike Thompson, head of Early Careers at Barclays said "Our own apprenticeship scheme has been a real success and it is great to work with the BHA to encourage more young people to take the opportunity to build a fantastic career.

"Barclays has taken on 1,000 apprentices since the launch of its apprentice programme in April 2012. It has been designed to help people with no prior experience or qualifications into work.

"Barclays is committed to doubling the number of apprentices to 2,000, and will continue to focus on specifically targeting young people aged 16-24 not in education, employment or training."

British Hospitality Association CEO Ufi Ibrahim said:  "The Big Conversation gives local industry leaders and young people the opportunity to meet, face to face.  It gives young people a voice and is a powerful way for businesses to understand and respond to the challenges. 

"More than just a talking forum, the Big Conversation leads to real opportunities, apprenticeships and work placements which in turn help to stimulate economic growth.  As well as providing immediate job and apprenticeship opportunities for young people, the Big Hospitality Conversation is sowing the seeds for the future of our industry by nurturing young talent." 

In the past twelve months over 1,200 industry representatives have attended the Big Hospitality Conversation events, pledging the creation of 33,000 new job opportunities between now and 2015.