How to get well-paid job in hospitality as industry faces worst staffing crisis in years

HOSPITALITY is facing its worst staffing crisis in years, with 94 per cent of businesses struggling to recruit.

Research shows only one in five workers has considered the industry for a job, but the sector can serve up tasty careers and a fast-track to the top.

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Now industry group Hospitality Rising has launched the UK’s biggest recruitment drive, targeting Gen-Z jobseekers.

Backed by more than 300 top businesses and global brands, the Rise Fast, Work Young initiative aims to fill the industry’s 400,000 vacancies by showcasing the opportunities that come with a career in hospitality.

Hospitality Rising ambassador Mark Holden started his career at 14 as a kitchen porter in his local pub.

Now 43, he’s the company director of award-winning pub chain Inn Cornwall, employing 100 people.

Mark, from Truro, said: “There are loads of diverse qualifications that you can do within hospitality, from apprenticeships to higher management director levels.

“The social mobility aspect that hospitality can give individuals is huge and so underestimated. I have staff who have worked with us since they were 15, and at 22 they are in a senior leadership role, earning fantastic money.

“They’ve bought a house with a big deposit and paid for their car outright. That’s what hospitality is all about — achieving great things without acquiring university loans.”

The campaign is supported by a string of big names, including Michelin-starred chefs Tom Kerridge, Angela Hartnett and Raymond Blanc, plus Pret A Manger and Hilton.

Would-be workers are being targeted on TikTok with slogans including “Don’t grow old for a living” and “9-5ers wouldn’t get it”.

Mark McCulloch, founder of Hospitality Rising, said: “You can go further faster. Working in hospitality is the ultimate choice for the ambitious, and as an act of rebellion against the 9-5.”

Find out more at hospitalityrising.com or search #RiseFastWorkYoung.

COME ‘N’ HAVE A GO

AN innovative new recruitment drive for the London hospitality sector has scrapped CVs in favour of on-the-job trials and accelerated training, to attract more workers.

The Westminster Works project hopes to fill a minimum of 2,200 jobs and could become a blueprint for hospitality hubs across the UK.

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Westminster City Council’s Geoff Barraclough said: “This will be a win-win for both businesses and workers.”

See westminster.works.

HAPPY PLACES

GET a January pick-me-up by giving a shout-out to an employer who make you happy.

The annual Sunday Times Best Place to Work Awards are now open for your nominations. Go to stbestplacestowork.co.uk.

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Here, workplace happiness expert Lord Mark Price from employment site Workl.co reveals his top must-dos for a positive, engaged workplace.

REWARD AND RECOGNITION: If you’re not paid fairly, no amount of recognition for a job well done will make you forget this. Pay scales must meet expectations and encourage effort.

INFORMATION SHARING: Not doing this makes employees feel an unimportant part of the business. If they understand the business, its strategy, how it is doing and who are the customers and competitors, they will make it stronger.

EMPOWERMENT: Workers should be a key part of the decision-making process. Listen to their ideas and integrate their suggestions to build and refine your strategy.

WELLBEING: Happy workplaces have lower levels of absence because people are engaged, which strengthens wellbeing. Focus on physical, emotional and financial wellbeing.

JOB SATISFACTION: Work on offering employees good personal development, and the strength of the relationship with their line manager.

TASTIEST OF PERKS

McDONALD’S, Gail’s Bakery, Nando’s and Five Guys have been voted the most generous hospitality firms for offering staff free food while at work.

The study, from employee reviews platform Breakroom.cc, found Pizza Express, Wagamama and Leon also dished up well to staff.

Anna Maybank, CEO of Breakroom.cc, said: “With more competition than ever before for hospitality staff, employers have to work harder to stand out.”

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk