Major hospitality employers including McDonald's, Nando's, Marriott, Wagamama, Haven, Merlin Entertainments and Whitbread have joined a three-year scheme to offer 100,000 jobs to unemployed 18 to 24-year-olds across Britain. The initiative, announced by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), targets young people who are not in employment, education or training (NEET).
According to the Office for National Statistics, almost one million people aged 16 to 24 are currently categorised as NEET. The partnership aims to provide workplace experience and help young people start long-term careers in the hospitality sector.
Government and industry partnership
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said: "Hospitality has long provided young people with a route into the world of work. I'm delighted that the industry is helping unemployed young people get their first step on the ladder and build careers."
McFadden added: "With UK employment now the second highest in the G7, this will unlock 100,000 jobs and connect young people with employers ready to take them on and help them build a brighter future." The programme is run with industry body UKHospitality.
Industry leaders back the scheme
Allen Simpson, chief executive of UKHospitality, said: "Hospitality is the number one employer of young people in the economy, providing valuable and rewarding routes into work. This announcement demonstrates the Government's recognition of hospitality as a critical sector to solve the NEETs crisis."
Simpson added: "We are pleased to work together on this partnership to target 100,000 job opportunities for NEET young people as well as on creating the right conditions for growth." Ministers say the scheme forms part of a wider commitment to support nearly one million young people and create 500,000 opportunities to earn and learn.
Employer commitments
Dominic Paul, chief executive of Premier Inn owner Whitbread, said: "Hospitality has always played a vital role in giving young people their first experience of the world of work, and we take our role in creating opportunity seriously."
Paul added: "As the UK's largest hospitality business with Premier Inn hotels in every corner of the country, we're proud that many young people join us for their first job and many of them stay to build their careers. We want to strengthen our industry's partnership with the government and are delighted to work with it to deliver this programme."
He concluded: "It will create opportunities all over the country for young people at a time when we know there are many who need a leg up into the workplace. We know it's a big challenge for the country and as a business with no barriers to entry, no limits to ambition, we're committed to playing our part."
