Employers to take the plunge at Springboard

Hundreds of firms have signed up for the week-long Springboard Festival in March, according to a spokeswoman for the organisers.

The festival aims to attract more young people into the hospitality and leisure industries. Festival chair Bill Toner said: "With relatively low unemployment in the UK and competition from other industries we need to showcase hospitality as an exciting and rewarding sector to work in."

Organisers hope to give 100,000 people first-hand experience of the industry. The week's centrepiece is Buddy Day on Tuesday, when employees can bring a friend into work, swap jobs or go back to the floor.

Compass Group is also holding a recruitment day at the Cumberland Hotel, London on Friday 11 March. Potential recruits will be able to meet some of the company's top chefs and other employees, get some CV advice and see culinary demonstrations.

The week will culminate in the final of FutureChef 2005, the cooking competition for 12 to 16-year-olds, at Westminster Kingsway College, London, on Friday 11 March. Contestants will prepare a two-course meal within a budget of £10, which will be judged by well-known chefs from the industry, including TV regular Brian Turner.

• If you would like to participate in the festival, e-mail samc@springboarduk.org.uk . Springboard is especially keen for more London hoteliers to get involved in Buddy Day.