Hospitality industry pledges to create 30,000 jobs for young people by 2015
The British Hospitality Association (BHA) has called on the Government to take more seriously the potential of the sector as it revealed that hospitality and tourism would create more than 30,000 new jobs by 2015.
At its annual summit, being held today at the InterContinental London Park Lane, the BHA will warn that the Olympic legacy is in danger of being forgotten.
It will call on the Government to create a cross-ministerial task force to oversee the delivery of a tourism growth strategy across all departments, improve the UK visa application procedure, act decisively in increasing airport capacity and cut VAT on tourism to 5%.
Meanwhile, employment minister Mark Hoban will be presented with the industry's pledge to create 30,000 new jobs by 2015.
The BHA said the opportunities were made up of 14,832 permanent roles, 11,103 apprenticeships and 5,157 paid university work placements. These roles for young people have been pledges at the association's series of Big Hospitality Conversation events.
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.
Patrick Dempsey, managing director of Whitbread Hotels and Restaurants, who spearheaded the campaign, added: "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."
In addition to its Big Conversation events the BHA is challenging tourism and hospitality businesses to offer apprenticeships and paid university student work placements to 18 to 24 year olds.
Chief executive Ufi Ibrahim said: "The BHA is galvanising the industry to invest in our best resource - our young people - and from the response we have received so far this is happening. It's a powerful message to take to government."
Top 15 jobs pledging organisations:
1. | Whitbread | 6,750 |
2. | Accor | 3,526 |
3. | Compass UK | 1,650 |
4. | South & City College | 1,000 |
5. | SSP UK | 750 |
6\. | Sodexo | 650 |
7. | TGI Fridays | 512 |
8. | Hilton | 300 |
9. | ISS UK LTD | 250 |
10. | Bespoke Hotels | 250 |
11. | Thurlestone Hotel | 218 |
12. | BaxterStorey | 230 |
13. | Brend Hotels | 140 |
14. | Bartlett Mitchell | 185 |
15. | Aramark | 100 |