The research by hospitality careers website UKSP found that 18 per cent of graduates feel they have never been given the right opportunities to take on responsibility while 45 per cent question their choice of job due to the lack of responsibility they have.
With recruiting and retention of the right staff still an issue within the hospitality industry, UKSP believes that responsibility-hungry graduates and under-graduates could be used to fill the estimated extra 69,000 managerial jobs the industry is expected to create by 2017.
“For young people currently considering career options, as our recent State of the Nation report shows, managers in the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism industries are often younger than average – especially those working in pubs, bars, restaurants and events, said UKSP’s Lesley Potter.
“There’s a wealth of opportunity – both at graduate and non-graduate level – within the sector for those who want to experience managing a business at an early age.”
Young managers
Research by skills council People 1st found that almost a quarter of managers in the HLTT industry are under the age of 30, compared to 10 per cent across the whole of the economy.
Previous research by UKSP also found that almost a quarter of people attending a jobs fair for hospitality were suited to management.
Brian Wisdom, chief executive of People 1st said employers need to do more to promote the opportunities for graduates in their companies.
“It’s not just about filling low-skilled jobs – as our research highlights, there are fantastic managerial roles available. It’s essential that employers take the mantle to both promote the wealth of opportunity on offer to young people – something UKSP clearly advocates – and provide the continued training and development that will retain that young talent within our industry."