More than 300 hospitality businesses, global brands and some of the UK's best known chefs have joined forces to launch what they're calling 'the world's biggest hospitality recruitment initiative'.
There are currently 400,000 job vacancies in hospitality according to the Hospitality Rising coalition which has been set up to raise the profile of the industry. A combination of Brexit and the pandemic has led to a staffing crisis in the industry and the organisation have launched a new advertising campaign designed to "inspire the next generation of talent".
The campaign, 'Rise Fast, Work Young', is aimed at young people and has been spearheaded by founder Mark McCulloch, former marketing executive with Pret a Manger and Yo! Sushi. Phase one of the six-figure campaign involves TikTok creators, digital ads and high-profile outdoor sports featuring slogans such as 'Don't grow old for a living' and '9-5ers wouldn't get it'.
McCulloch told the BBC: "It's going to take a long time for perceptions to change. We need to work hard in this country for hospitality to be as respected a job, career, life choice, as it is in the USA, Italy, France, Greece and Spain. What we are saying is: if you work in retail, on building sites, in offices at a lower level, or the gig economy, come and be with us and actually start a career."
The campaign is back by top level chefs including Raymond Blanc, Tom Kerridge and Angela Hartnett, plus companies including Coca-Cola, Whitbread, Pret and Claridge's.
To take a look at some of the many jobs available in the hospitality sector in your area, head over to the jobs section of NexJob.
