WITH more people taking shelter from the rain in the seats of their local cinema to watch ‘Barbenheimer’ instead of enjoying a refreshing pint in the sunshine that we all hoped for, there is no doubt that the experience of the hospitality industry this summer has been a far-cry from picture-perfect Barbie Land where the sun never sets.
Yet with thousands of young people facing important decisions about their future after receiving GCSE and A Level results, there is a window of opportunity for the sector to showcase a career in hospitality as rewarding and life-long.
Through regular engagement with our further education colleges, I am aware of the endless opportunities and pathways that exist in hospitality for young people to explore their interests and advance their skills and talents.
Just recently, Hospitality Ulster partnered with Belfast Metropolitan College to roll out the ‘Get into Hospitality’ pilot programme which offered individuals interested in a career in hospitality free courses in bartending and food service.
It was fantastic to see such a wide range of individuals and fresh talent become excited to join the hospitality industry, and it was a refreshing reminder of just how enriching and exciting a career in this industry is for many people.
The Wellbeing and Development Promise which has also been launched by the hospitality and tourism industries here has been developed to ensure that staff are well supported, have access to development and training opportunities as well as flexible working arrangements and a wide range of pay and benefits.
All of this shows that there are great opportunities for a career in the sector whether as a chef, bartender, waiter, in management, marketing, or finance, and it’s evident that it is an industry prepared to reward its dedicated staff and champion positive working environments.
Anyone who has worked in hospitality either on a full-time or part-time basis will agree that it is a profession where invaluable life-skills are learned, where life-long friends are made and most importantly, where you are empowered to grow as an individual.
Hospitality has a proven track record of generating growth, but it is currently being held back by damaging labour shortages.
This means that there are opportunities in abundance for young people who wish to enter the industry whether that be through studying a relevant further education course, or on a full-time basis.
It is also an excellent option for young people heading off to pursue further study at university and who will be looking for extra cash to fund a student lifestyle.
The flexible, vibrant, and diverse environment in hospitality means that it really can be a career for everyone, and it deserves to be celebrated as a viable career option for all young people determining their next steps after their GCSE or A Level results.
:: Colin Neill is chief executive of Hospitality Ulster
