Tackling staff shortages in hospitality
To address the recruitment crisis increasing career development opportunities across the hospitality is crucial.
The hospitality sectors had 173,000 vacancies between May to July this year, up 34% on the previous year, according to data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) [1]. This decline is due to several factors, including the impact of Covid and the departure of many overseas workers. To address this recruitment crisis, an increased recognition of career development opportunities across the hospitality sector will be crucial to ensure the longer-term viability of the hospitality sector - and apprenticeships have a key role to play in this.
Skern Training and Skills (STS) is an independent training provider and we offer apprenticeship training in hospitality, and many other sectors, helping to build a long-term workforce with skills, expertise and commitment to excellence. STS delivers apprenticeship training for Levels 2, 3 and 4 on-site whilst employees are in full time work. These tailor-made apprenticeship programmes ensure that individuals develop the relevant skill sets that will enable their employers to guarantee best practise across all their operations.
Alex Coyle, Head of Skern Training & Skills, said: “Skern Training and Skills apprenticeships offer fantastic solutions for businesses looking to hire right from entry level to the development of team capabilities long-term. Apprenticeships are a great way to help employers ‘grow’ their way out of current staff shortages and we have seen the hospitality sector benefit from the government drive to engage 16 -24-year-olds in apprenticeships.”
STS can also support partnerships between employers and local schools or colleges, showcasing the benefits of apprenticeships for young people as a credible option early in their careers.
Using a company like STS can form a meaningful part of any organisations recruitment strategy, making a real difference in developing a consistent talent pipeline and solving long term recruitment shortages.
Abigail Watt, Recruitment and Training Manager at Chester Racecourse, which uses STS to deliver apprenticeship training, said:
“We are strongly committed to investing in the development of our colleagues. Chester Racecourse has a long-standing reputation for excellent service, achieved through our innovative approaches to the development of our business and our people. We are proud to be working with Skern Training & Skills to nurture future talent, equipping our teams to deliver quality services and enjoy fulfilling working lives.”
[1] Big Hospitality, 16 August 2022, https://www.bighospitality.co.uk/Article/2022/08/16/hospitality-job-vacancies-dip-slightly-but-remain-at-record-high-ons-figures-show
