Led by the Government Department for Work and Pensions, employers, job centres and trade bodies come together today to launch Hospitality Works 2019. The annual Hospitality Works campaign actively promotes hospitality as a sector where jobseekers can find gainful employment and develop a successful career.
Industry trade bodies The Springboard Charity, UKHospitality and the British Beer and Pub Association are all working with the Government Department for Work and Pensions to showcase the great career opportunities available across hospitality, which currently faces acute skills shortages.
Writing to employers, The RT Hon Amber Rudd MP, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions stated:
“I have seen some fantastic examples of employers and DWP working together to help more people secure work. One of the great examples of this is the Hospitality Works campaign, which enters its fifth year in 2019. Support and encouragement will help us to provide even more exciting opportunities for people who show an interest in working in this great sector.”
Hospitality Works 2019 will also be supported by some of the biggest employers in the industry including Marston’s, McDonalds, Hilton, Ei Group, Caffé Nero, Bourne Leisure and Yo! Sushi.
They will take part through visiting schools, holding events at job centres and welcoming jobseekers into their businesses for a taste of hospitality and to understand what opportunities are available to them within the sector.
Chief Executive of UKHospitality, Kate Nicholls commented on the campaign saying: “The hospitality sector is a challenging and rewarding place to work offering a wide range of roles to suit employers and employees in almost any situation.
“We are sometimes unfairly seen as only offering part-time or temporary work. In reality, there is almost no end to what we can offer for hardworking, driven individuals looking to embark on a long and exciting career across a variety of diverse roles.”
Hospitality Works 2019 will centre around two ‘Big Bash Events’ held in Manchester and Leeds. The Leeds ‘Big Bash’ event will kick off on 20th February and the Manchester ‘Big Bash’ event will take place on 8th March. Both events provide opportunities for a range of employers to meet with their local Job Centre Plus and potential future employees.
The campaign has created in excess of 8,000 work placements since its conception in 2015. With the set-piece ‘Big Bash’ events and countless other events around the country planned. The campaign is expected to help a record number of jobseekers to find a career in hospitality this year.
If you want to participate as a business/employer, please email hospitality.works@dwp.gsi.gov.uk or follow the #JobsWithASmile hashtag on social media.
