In Scotland, approximately 256,000 people are employed in the hospitality sector, which is 9% of the workforce. On the 26th of January, 2016, the third Big Scottish Hospitality Conversation will be held in Dundee, following on from a successful event in Glasgow last year when 342 opportunities in this area were created, including jobs, apprenticeships and work experience placements.
The event in Dundee is run by the British Hospitality Association in partnership with Springboard and the Department for Work and Pensions and will be held at the Apex Hotel.
Facilitating Dialogue Between Young People and the Industry
Over 70 businesses will be attending the event, and pledges will be made for up to 100 jobs and more than 200 pledges for apprenticeships and work placements for 16-24-year-old job seekers. Around 100 young people will be present alongside the industry business leaders, who will highlight the vast range of training, qualifications and long-term career opportunities available.
Springboard is a charity dedicated to assisting young, unemployed and disadvantaged people launch a career in the hospitality, leisure and tourism industry. They also provide ongoing support. As one of the founders of the Big Hospitality Conversation, they recognise that work experience plays a key part in influencing a person’s career choice.
A Growing Employment Sector
According to the BBC, Scotland’s hospitality sector out-performed the rest of the UK, with hotel revenue increasing by 11% across Scotland. However, the hospitality industry is not just limited to hotels. There are opportunities in all areas from sales to event planning and in places like amusement parks or companies that supply equipment such as a food machinery auctioneers like Clarke-Fussells – the career choices are endless.
In Dundee more growth is expected in this sector as a billion-pound regeneration project is being undertaken in the waterfront area. New hotels and restaurants will open, creating jobs in catering, housekeeping, administration and front-of-house – to name just a few. The V&A Museum of Design in Dundee is also being built and is expected to open in 2018, bringing more tourism to the area.
The British Hospitality Association says that the majority of senior people in this industry achieved their success by working their way up from the bottom. The Big Hospitality Conversation hopes to inspire many more youngsters to try do the same.
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