A number of companies in the hospitality and tourism sector have between them pledges to create a further 30,000 new jobs for young people by 2015.
It works out as 14,832 permanent roles, 11,103 apprenticeships, and 5,157 paid university work placements. Whitbread and SSP are among the companies to make the pledge, alongside Accor, Hilton, Compass UK and Marriot and high-profile London restaurants including the Ritz, the Goring and the Savoy.
The pledges, which have been organised by the British Hospitality Association and Jobcentre Plus, have been made nine Big Hospitality Conversation events that have taken place over the last 12 months across the UK. They are to be revealed to Employment Minister Mark Hoban at the British Hospitality Association’s annual summit today.
Hoban said: “The collaboration between Jobcentre Plus and the British Hospitality Association has been extremely successful, and it’s fantastic to see the industry come together today with a further pledge to create 30,000 opportunities for young people.
“The hospitality industry provides a diverse range of career prospects for people of all ages, but particularly for young people who are starting out and still exploring what career path they would like to take. I’d encourage young people to seize these opportunities.”
Patrick Dempsey, managing director of Whitbread Hotels and Restaurants, said: “The industry has very many job vacancies for young people and the unemployed. The hospitality industry can give you a rewarding and meaningful career; if only more young people realised this.”
