The UK government’s ‘Get Britain Working’ white paper aims to reduce economic inactivity and boost the national employment rate to 80%.
With initiatives such as overhauling the National Careers Service, launching a Youth Guarantee, and reforming the Apprenticeship Levy, this campaign could be exactly what industries like hospitality need to thrive.
As someone deeply involved in hospitality—both as a business leader and through initiatives like my own Art of Hospitality conferences—I’ve seen firsthand how much the industry has struggled to recover from the staffing crisis post-COVID.
The pandemic didn’t just disrupt operations; it created a long-lasting challenge in finding and retaining talent. Good staff, always a treasure, have become harder than ever to come by.
This campaign offers a much-needed lifeline. By encouraging more people to consider careers and providing funding for skills development, the white paper gives hospitality a fighting chance to fill its vacancies with eager and capable individuals.
It is an opportunity for us to showcase what our industry has to offer—not just jobs, but careers, experiences, and a sense of purpose.
I’ve personally taken steps to address these challenges. In collaboration with the Chester Hospitality Association, I’ve supported campaigns like Connect Hospitality, which brings the industry into schools to show young people the breadth of opportunities available. From the kitchen to the front desk, from marketing to management, there’s a role for everyone in hospitality.
I’ve also visited schools to speak about the industry’s potential, highlighting the benefits of working in hospitality, such as flexibility, progression, and the chance to work in a dynamic, people-focused environment. These efforts have been about showing students that hospitality isn’t just a stopgap job—it’s a pathway to success.
The white paper isn’t just a government initiative; it’s a challenge to us in hospitality. Are we ready to embrace this opportunity? Can we position ourselves as an industry of choice for those re-entering the workforce or starting their careers?
This campaign is more than just an opportunity to find staff; it’s a chance to reframe how people view hospitality careers.
By providing the right support and seizing this moment, we can not only solve the staffing crisis but also make hospitality an industry of aspiration and pride.
I’m committed to doing my part—through my conferences, school visits, and outreach efforts—to bring attention to what our industry can offer. If this campaign brings more people to explore careers, it’s up to us to welcome them and show them why hospitality is one of the most rewarding industries in the UK.
Let’s work together to get Britain working—and ensure hospitality thrives in the process.
If you love hospitality and are eager to improve our industry, then come along to our next conference The Art of Hospitality that talks all things hospitality, hosted in January! Learn more and get your tickets here
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thehospitalityheroltd/1247485?
Source – https://www.ukhospitality.org.uk/get-britain-working-white-paper-our-response/
