By Ed Vokes, Director of Evolve Hospitality
With a combined rise in the number of hospitality vacancies, and a dip in the number of experienced applicants, it’s the responsibility of the industry to demonstrate that hospitality can be an attractive career option to a potential workforce.
This is no easy task – certainly pre-covid it involved long hours, physically demanding work, and in many instances, inconsistent career progression – all elements of hospitality that can dissuade a potential applicant from this line of work. But I believe that for someone looking to find a true path and vocation for themselves, a career in hospitality can offer an interesting, varied and rewarding occupation, taking them to places of which they previously only dreamed, or never knew existed.
The industry can play its part in promoting the profession in a number of ways:
Promote the opportunities that exist
Young people are now bombarded with messaging around, ‘flexible working’, ‘uncapped income’, ‘travel while you work’. Whilst this is incredibly enticing to a young workforce at the start of their careers, in the majority of instances, this is utter rubbish.
Yet elements of this work utopia can be found in hospitality. It is an industry that offers flexibility – most staff are not tied to a 9-5, and in the right circumstances, can determine when they work. Income can be topped up by tips, extra shifts or working certain events, which leads to greater control of one’s income. And the opportunity for travel in hospitality is limitless, by using skills that don’t require proficiency in a certain language.
Yes there is hard work, long hours and demanding conditions, but they can come with huge career benefits.
For example, as a sports fan myself, at the age of 20 I would have bitten the hand off someone who offered me at Arsenal one week, Twickenham the next and Ascot the week after that! In much the same way, a music fan, foodie or wine aficionado will have plenty of opportunities to turn their hobby into a career.
Recognise talent
Nurturing the early career of front-of-house, back-of-house and cheffing newcomers can set them up for success. You don’t have to watch Gordon Ramsey’s Kitchen Nightmares to gain an understanding of the cut-throat nature of some kitchens, which is made for TV drama and by no means a reflection of many of the kitchens within daily reality.
But with new pressures on hospitality recruitment, businesses that recognise early talent, nurture trust and respect, will stand the test of time. The same goes for existing staff – demonstrative gratitude for the great work and dedication of a longstanding team avoids a potential skills drain in the future and map out the individuals career development
Facilitate learning
Businesses have a natural inclination to restrict training when budgets are tight and bottom lines are stretched. Surely it’s only sensible that this be saved until a more economically stable period? Yet whenever you can carry out tasks that aid an employee’s personal development, it will avoid the loss of staff in the short term, and benefit the business in the long. Stagnation can lead to dissatisfaction, therefore learning should always be a priority.
Detail routes for progression
No two careers in hospitality are the same. It’s what makes the industry so exciting, but also unpredictable. Future plans and potential routes for progression should be part of your conversations with staff, to give them a greater purpose beyond their next shift.
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These are just a few of the ways hospitality businesses can ensure the future success of our industry and push through temporary challenges. But we need to promote the Industry in a positive manner daily whether that be at the roles we can offer at Evolve, whether that is the roles our clients can offer that person or the opportunities the Industry can offer for the long term and what an amazing life and career Hospitality does offer.
25th August 2022
