In a press release that highlighted that ‘thousands of jobs’ were available in hospitality as the sector ‘bounces back after the pandemic’, Victoria Prentis MP said that Government-run Jobcentres ‘will fill crucial vacancies and in turn boost the economy’.
Hospitality vaccines hit records highs earlier this year, forcing many restaurants to scale back their operations, delay new launches and in some cases even close down sites.
On the Find a Job site, a DWP portal which signposts Universal Credit claimants to jobs, there are over 11,000 jobs in hospitality and catering.
The DWP says it has developed a dedicated hospitality section on job help, meaning support and advice is available ‘around the clock’.
Jobcentres host hospitality specific recruitment events with many offering jobs on the spot to claimants, states the release, which was timed to coincide with Hospitality Day (30 September).
“I’m delighted to be supporting Hospitality Day, celebrating a sector that has shown immense resilience after the challenges of the pandemic,” Prentis said.
“Hospitality brings people together and our Work Coaches in towns and cities across the nation, are helping people to build their confidence and skills to break into the sector.”
Last month, data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) showed 173,000 vacancies in accommodation and food service activities between May and July 2022.
This was marginally below the levels of April to June 2022 where figures showed vacancies at 174,000 – a drop of just under 0.6%.
The figures show that vacancies in the hospitality sector have risen by 44,000 (34%) compared to last year.
Earlier this month, the Government dismissed a petition calling for EU nationals to be permitted to come to the UK to work in hospitality, telling businesses to invest in the UK’s domestic labour force instead.