Liverpool takes action to tackle hospitality skills shortages

Liverpool’s tourism industry is currently worth £3.8bn and supports over 49,000 jobs, but it is expected that there will be around 55,000 new jobs available in the sector by 2020.

From 8-11 February The City of Liverpool College is teaming up with further education colleges and skills providers to encourage young people to choose a career in hospitality.

Elaine Bowker, principal of The City of Liverpool College, said: "With a projected 55,000 new jobs being created by visitor economy over the next four years, it's vital that we ensure young people in the City Region benefit from the opportunities on offer. 

“Not only this, we need to ensure we have the skills locally to support the continued growth of this vital sector." 

Colleges will be running 50 events during the week focused on promoting jobs in hospitality, catering and tourism.

Activities will include ‘Macaroon Making’ at The City of Liverpool College in association with Renshaws, ‘Building and Baking’ with Bako at Riverside College and ‘The Golf Coast’ with Hugh Baird College.

Skills shortages are a major issue facing the hospitality industry​. Fifty one per cent of catering colleges which offered full-time courses in 2015 saw a drop in student numbers.

One in five vacancies in the hotel and restaurant sector are for skilled staff, with the figure rising to almost half for skilled chefs, according to data from the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES).

Liverpool’s Visitor Economy Week will kick off with a special launch at the City’s Princes Dock from 3pm on 8 February.