Hospitality businesses are ramping up efforts to hire UK-based talent as the sector aims to fill 990,000 summer jobs, according to new research from hiring platform Caterer.com.
The Olympics, 2024 EUROs and Taylor Swift’s highly anticipated UK tour have resulted 80% of hospitality businesses intending to increase their staffing levels.
Caterer.com has seen vacancies for roles increase by almost a quarter (24%) from January to March 2024, with the surge driven by Scotland (68% increase in vacancies), the Northeast (62%) and Yorkshire (43%).
Nationwide hiring trend gathers pace
However, according to the research, which surveyed 100 hospitality hiring decision makers and 2,000 UK workers, a quarter (25%) of hospitality businesses, such as pubs, bars, hotels, and restaurants, believe a lack of available talent in their local area is big challenge in recruitment. 64% of hospitality businesses are most concerned about hiring chefs throughout the year, followed by general management (59%).
The research shows 69% of hospitality businesses feel leaving the EU is still having an impact on their ability to recruit and the vast majority are now expanding their searches for talent within the UK. In a considerable growing trend, 85% of businesses are actively recruiting talent from outside their area.
70% stated that hiring from another part of the country would help bridge the gap created by the shortfall of EU workers and scaling recruitment from other parts of the UK is a top priority for a fifth (18%) of businesses. 27% are attempting to attract non-local candidates by offering support with accommodation, a fifth (21%) are offering relocation packages and 25% are offering flexible shift patterns.
Turning to untapped talent pools
Hospitality businesses introducing initiatives to lure workers from across the UK coincides with a rise in worker mobility. The research shows that three in ten workers are willing to relocate to another part of the UK for work, with almost half (43%) of 18- 34 years olds willing to relocate for a long-term opportunity. The leading reasons were for better job opportunities (47%), better quality of life (45%) and to progress their career (40%). While many hospitality businesses feel the sector has a perception challenge to overcome, 52% of workers believe that working in hospitality is a great way to settle into a new area.
With an acute demand for workers, the hospitality industry is also adapting and turning to previously untapped talent pools. Almost a quarter (24%) have stated they are activity recruiting from less conventional demographics, such as ex-offenders.
Calvern James, Director of Hospitality Management at Caterer.com, commented: “Hospitality recruiters have swapped the EU for Edinburgh and Essex as they become increasingly more creative in finding talent within the UK. This could be a hotel in Devon advertising to workers in Scotland or a Yorkshire cafe targeting people thinking of leaving London.
“The sector has remained resilient in the face of unprecedented challenges in recent years and tough immigration rules have made businesses look for workers in less conventional places. Businesses finding the most success in recruiting from different parts of the UK are prioritising new perks and initiatives, like accommodation support and more comprehensive onboarding while developing their employer brand to appeal to a broader audience.”
Despite hospitality businesses stating that leaving the EU is impacting their ability to recruit, the UK remains a highly desirable location for workers around the world and 36% of global professionals are actively willing to relocate to the UK for work. London is still a top draw due to the language and an exceptional global network. Other attractive cities for international workers include Edinburgh, Birmingham, Belfast, and Glasgow.
You can download the full report here.
Methodology
Caterer.com commissioned the following research through Opinium:
2,000 UK adults between the period of 9th April – 12th April 2024
100 hospitality hiring decision makers between 5th April – 10th April 2024
Calculation: As of 2023, there are 174,380 businesses in the in the UK (ONS). According to the research Caterer.com commissioned through Opinium, 80% plan to increase their staffing levels (139,864), on average 7.1 roles to cater for Summer. This equates to an additional 993,034.
About Caterer.com
Caterer.com is the hospitality industry’s hiring platform matching the right people with the right jobs. Caterer.com’s unrivalled technology, teams and solutions help businesses reach the right hospitality people with their jobs and brand messaging. With search, match and apply tools unlike any other, Caterer.com is built to find you the right hospitality hires for future business success.
