YOUNG people keen to work in the North East’s hospitality industry will come face to face with some of the sector’s biggest businesses at a special event this month (May) – and may even land a job.
On 14 May, St James’ Park – home to Newcastle United FC – is bringing job-seekers and businesses within the industry together for a Big Hospitality Conversation.
The Big Hospitality Conversation is a nationwide campaign led by the British Hospitality Association to provide hospitality and tourism careers by giving businesses the chance to pledge job opportunities, apprenticeships and work placements for young jobseekers.
And not only will the free, day-long event enable the region’s school leavers, college graduates and job-seekers to find out more about the hospitality industry, but some of the businesses taking part will also be offering full and part-time jobs and apprenticeships on the day.
Companies attending the event include national food chains such as KFC and McDonalds along with Newcastle-based hospitality giant Malhotra Group plc and Ramside Estates, owner of Ramside Hall Hotel, Durham, and Hardwick Hall Hotel, Sedgefield.
Nationally, more than 40,000 job opportunities have so far been created at events like the one at St James Park and the aim is for the hospitality industry to create up to 60,000 jobs for those aged between 16 and 24 by 2016.
Sodexo Prestige Venues & Events, which manages conferences and events at St James’ Park and is the UK’s leading catering provider, will also be attending the event and staff are looking forward to engaging with the industry’s rising stars of the future.
Samantha Doyle, sales and marketing manager for Sodexo Prestige Venues & Events, said: “As the UK’s leading provider of catering services Sodexo Prestige understands the importance of attracting talented and forward thinking young people to the hospitality industry.
“The Big Hospitality Conversation will provide a superb opportunity for the region’s hospitality businesses to come face to face with young people, who could be their employees of the future.
Ufi Ibrahim, CEO of the British Hospitality Association said: “Newcastle is a popular and vibrant visitor destination offering cultural diversity and a buzzing restaurant and bar scene.
“For young people in the region starting out in their careers, the hospitality industry is an attractive prospect, offering the chance to get involved in a dynamic, growing and competitive industry with great prospects for growth.
“The breadth of job roles and the training available means that new entrants can succeed very quickly, climbing the career ladder towards even greater opportunities in the industry.”
A number of hotels, restaurants and hospitality providers from across the region have already registered to attend the event and organisers are keen to hear from others who may wish to be involved.
Businesses wishing to attend the event are invited to register at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-big-hospitality-conversation-newcastle-tickets-15926788453 and job seekers can register their attendance at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-big-hospitality-conversation-newcastle-tickets-15926850639.