Big Hospitality Conversation to focus on careers in housekeeping

21 July 2015 by Katey Pigden

Springboard and the British Hospitality Association (BHA) will host its first Big Hospitality Conversation focused on careers in housekeeping at London's the Dorchester hotel on 7 September.

Housekeeping professionals from across the UK will come together to pledge job opportunities, apprenticeships and work placements in housekeeping to young job seekers as part of Springboard's Housekeeping Careers Festival, A Day to Sparkle.

Anne Pierce, chief executive of Springboard, said: "The Housekeeping Careers Festival is all about changing perceptions of careers in housekeeping and hospitality.

"Management level jobs are not far away for people who show hard work and a willingness to learn and with amazing rewards, why would you not consider this industry?"

The UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) states that more 600,000 jobs will be available in hospitality by 2020; however 32% of vacancies will be hard to fill due to skills shortages. Careers in this sector, including jobs in housekeeping and accommodation management, can be perceived as unskilled and low paid with no real rewards.

Ufi Ibrahim, chief executive of BHA said: "The Big Hospitality Conversation is bringing jobseekers and business leaders together to talk about careers in hospitality and tourism. In just two years, over 2,000 businesses have engaged and helped to change the lives of more than 43,000 young people with new career opportunities in the industry.

"Housekeeping is one of the career paths in hospitality offering an opportunity to be part of a dynamic, growing and competitive sector with great prospects for growth."

Jutta Asta, executive housekeeper at the Dorchester, added: "If nothing else, I want the enduring message for those attending the Big Hospitality Conversation to be that housekeeping offers great career prospects. When I hire a room attendant, I'm looking at their future potential to be an executive housekeeper."

"Over the past year, 25 people from my department were promoted, some within the department and some into other departments such as spa and food and beverage within the Dorchester. Hospitality is a multi-faceted career full of many great opportunities with the potential to grow."

The event will run from 9am to 1pm.

For more information email samc@springboarduk.org.uk or visit www.careerscope.uk.net

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