Brompton Academy

Hospitality

Sector Outlook Employing over two million people, the hospitality sector is the fifth largest industry in the United Kingdom. However, there is a greater demand for some jobs than others. Many people find employment in restaurants while vacancies for hotel work tend to be more competitive. Demand for kitchen staff and catering assistants is high but you might find it more difficult if searching for a position as a hotel porter. Overall, job opportunities for young workers tend to be plentiful although about 50% of all employees work on a part time basis. Most employers have fewer than ten members of staff but offer the advantage of giving you the opportunity to try out a wide range of different job roles. Hotel groups such as the Marriot, the Hilton and the Accor, however, often employ over a hundred staff and are able to offer graduate training schemes. To get a head start, it’s worth learning a foreign language. New government initiatives aim to attract more visitors from China, India, and Brazil so if you can speak their language then you could have the edge over other job applicants. The coffee shop sector currently has annual turnover of around £6.2billion, with 54% of that coming from the branded sector such as Nero, Costa and Starbucks. This market is still growing, with new stores opening, requiring baristas, shift supervisors and store managers. Despite the low pay for entrants, for those with determination and willingness to take on responsibility can earn £25k per year as a store manager or £31k as an area manager. The ability to offer a broader skillset to employers is becoming increasingly important especially when you consider that competition for jobs in the hospitality industry is growing. More and more graduates, as well as other entrants, are setting their sights on the hospitality sector so employers naturally have more choice. Recent reports suggest that on average there are twenty-one applicants for every vacancy within the sector. Most vacancies can be found in London and the South East. However, this is offset by a greater degree of competition for jobs. East Anglia is noteworthy for having the lowest level of competition for hospitality posts. Turnover within the industry tends to be high, which is partly due to the low wages on offer. A significant number of employers are experiencing problems in attracting skilled managers and chefs. Skilled chefs have been in particular short supply for a few years and there is a growing demand for those who can cook Asian cuisine. Growth areas to keep your eye on are budget accommodation chains and fast food outlets. Travelodge, the biggest independent hotel chain in the UK, is expanding its operations with the opening of another six new Travelodge hotels. They have 206 positions to fill including hotel manager, receptionist, guest room cleaner and bar café roles as well as head office support staff. By 2025 the company aims to have completed over 1,100 hotels. In June 2014, McDonald’s UK stated it will create 8,000 new jobs across the country over the next three years, taking its UK workforce to 100,000. Contract catering services are also worth considering as either a full time or casual employment option. For a good place to start your job search visit www.caterer.com.