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Cath Harrison (below), Managing Director
of JVP Group, adds that the hospitality
sector is Britain’s fourth largest employer,
accounting for 3.2million direct jobs and
2.8million indirect jobs: “The challenge for
the industry will be to fill the new roles with
the right people given a continuing skills
shortage affecting the hospitality
and tourism sector.
“While there are well trained, talented and
highly motivated candidates out there, the
burning issue for many employers is that
there simply aren’t enough of them.
Jill Whittaker (above), MD of HIT Training,
agrees: “The UK hospitality industry
continues to thrive. However with Brexit
and the risk that we could lose one
million workers in the next decade if EU
migration is limited, and we’re in danger
of the situation becoming untenable as the
industry is growing faster than positions
can be filled.”
“So, employers have the task of not only
identifying and attracting the best talent
for their roles, but then holding on to them
in an extremely competitive environment
in which high turnover of staff has
become the norm.
“For the employers who get it right, there
is some outstanding talent looking for
the right opportunities. It is also vital to
understand that the work does not stop
when you have hired them. If anything,
it is then that the really hard work
starts to keep hold of them.”
Harrison’s ‘Top Tips’ for employers:
1. Build your employer brand so
it stands out in the crowd
2. Ensure your job advertisements
reach the best/widest possible
audience
3. Work hard to retain your talent
4. Pay well – but also offer a range
of other benefits
5. Take time to develop employee
‘soft skills’
6. Talk up your industry and the
potential for long-term careers.