If my previous blogs have failed to capture your imagination, and you still need convincing that we (as Hospitality industry professionals) should be approaching schools right now in a bid to educate them about potential careers... then read on!
The state of Hospitality right now
The UK Hospitality industry is a vital part of the UK economy and, at the time of writing, employs
over 1.8 million people, generating £40.4 billion in revenue each year.
However, the industry is facing a skills shortage, with over 149,000 (or 9% of) vacancies currently unfilled.
The result is that one in three UK Hospitality businesses have had to close or operate on reduced days, costing the economy approximately £21 billion a year.
Whilst this is very much a problem for now, it is also a problem for the future too unless we act.
Why is it important now? We have enough problems.
One way to address this skills shortage, and to prevent this from being an issue in subsequent years, is for the Hospitality industry to approach schools and promote the industry to young people right now.
There are a number of reasons why this is important:
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Young people are the future of the industry. The Hospitality industry needs to attract new talent in order to grow and thrive. By approaching schools, we can reach out to young people who are still considering their career options and encourage them to consider a career in Hospitality.
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The Hospitality industry offers a wide range of career opportunities. The Hospitality industry is not just about waiting tables and cleaning rooms (although I hate the use of the word "just", these roles are valid and rewarding in their own right). There are a wide range of career opportunities available in the industry, from chefs and managers to event planners and marketing professionals. By approaching schools, the Hospitality industry can raise awareness of the different career opportunities that are available.
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The Hospitality industry is a great place to start a career for young people who are looking for a flexible, rewarding and fast-paced career. The industry offers good opportunities for progression and development, and there is always the potential to start your own business.
But How?
There are a number of ways that the Hospitality industry can approach schools to promote the industry. One way is to organize careers events at schools. These events can give young people the opportunity to meet with industry professionals, learn about the different career opportunities available and ask questions.
Another way to promote the industry is to work with schools to develop curriculum that includes modules on Hospitality. This can help to raise awareness of the industry among young people and give them the skills they need to succeed in a Hospitality career.
Conclusion
The UK Hospitality industry is a vital part of the UK economy. By approaching schools and promoting the industry to young people, the industry can address the skills shortage and ensure that it has the talent it needs to grow and thrive in the years to come.
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If this is a subject that interests you and you want to find out more how you could engage with young people check out the following podcast episodes.
