Workforce Strategy aims to tackle hospitality labour shortage
Hospitality Ulster has launched its Workforce Strategy aimed at upskilling the hospitality sector workforce and tackling the ongoing staffing crisis.
Developed in partnership with UK Hospitality, which represents the sector across England, Scotland and Wales, is focuses on five key areas: Recruitment, Skills and Training, Staff wellbeing, Image of the Sector and Infrastructure.
Hospitality Ulster now hopes the Executive will reflect on the action plan by bringing forward the much-needed bespoke hospitality strategy aimed at providing the right resources required to ensure the sector recovers post-pandemic.
Speaking at the launch at Stomont Economy Minister Gordon Lyons said: “The hospitality sector has always been a mainstay of our economy. It is vital it continues to flourish.
“I welcome the launch of the Hospitality Ulster Workforce Strategy which includes many messages that resonate with my Department’s own Skills Strategy, ‘Skills for a 10x Economy’. Both strategies highlight the need to work collaboratively across government, business and education institutions to resolve skills-based issues in our labour market.
“It is clear that there are many areas where my Department can continue to collaborate with the sector and I look forward to continuing to develop this relationship as we implement ‘Skills for a 10x Economy’.”
Colin Neill, above, Chief Executive of Hospitality Ulster added: “To tackle the staffing crisis affecting our industry, we are supporting a culture of training and development which aims to build a career path with quality job opportunities for all sectors of society. By demonstrating that our sector offers a rewarding career pathway with many different routes and opportunities, and working to harness the talent, both new and already there, we ca ensure that the sector is properly staffed and workers are properly supported and rewarded.
“Some initiatives within the strategy have already begun, such as our Employers Charter with many leading hospitality businesses – big and small – already committed to supporting the welfare, training and development of staff. Other aspects are under development as we take responsibility to solve the challenges and ensure our hospitality industry continues to play a major role in the Northern Ireland economy and provides career opportunities both at skilled and entry levels.”
Kate Nicholl, Chief Executive of UK Hospitality said: “Working in partnership with our sister organisation Hospitality Ulster we are proud to have developed this vital strategy, with our hope being that it will provide the basis for the rebuild and renewal of the sector.
“Hospitality simply cannot run without people. From bartenders to chefs, and marketers to managers, each and every person in hospitality provides an essential service requiring skill and knowledge. Across the UK we are in a staffing crisis due to a combination of circumstances including a tightening global labour market, the impact of Covid and perceptions some may have of the industry. This is a terrible position to be in and it is creating havoc for trade and business viability.
“Hospitality is a great career choice, an industry filled with hard-working, exciting people bringing new, innovative ideas to boost the industry’s offer. A thriving workforce will only further elevate the hospitality industry across the UK and create not just a better sector, but a better society for all.”
