New channels to fresh talent for hospitality and travel

 People 1^st and Jobcentre Plus have announced an agreemenet that will give businesses access to pre-trained job seekers looking for work in the hospitality sector.  This means that employers can tap into a pool of new talent that has completed pre-employment training in key areas including food safety, customer service and health and safety. The pre-employment training programme, developed by People 1^st, comprises an intensive two-week training course aimed at providing new entrants into hospitality or those changing careers with relevant industry knowledge and skills and the confidence they need to quickly adjust to their chosen role. Under the agreement with Jobcentre Plus, all job seekers who complete the pre-employment training course will be registered on www.uksp.co.uk – People 1^st’s one-stop shop for information on jobs, careers, qualifications, training providers, and funding for the sector..  Aimed at students and those already working in or considering a career in the industries, the site demonstrates the wealth of opportunities available within hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism through an interactive career map, and guides to the best employers, qualifications and providers. Job seekers can also upload their cvs onto the UKSP ‘Get Spotted’ marketplace where ‘Good Employers’ – those who demonstrate their commitment to training and developing their staff – can search for candidates.  Developed by People 1^st following extensive research into the skills needs of 5,000 hospitality businesses, ‘Pre-employment Skills’ focuses on the skills needed to progress within four different roles – crew member, coffee shop assistant, linen room assistant and kitchen porter.  A further module for chefs will be available soon. Jobcentre Plus advisors will be given selection criteria guidelines to help them identify and recruit those suitable for working in the hospitality industry.   Potential candidates must be level 2 ‘capable’ and have the ability to learn the fundamentals of the hospitality industry in an intensive learning period.     Sharon Glancy, business solutions director at People 1^st said:   ‘The initiative should be of enormous benefit to the hospitality and travel industry.  Both UKSP and our pre-employment skills package are fantastic tools for preparing individuals to enter the sector and providing employers with access to an increased pool of fresh talent.’ She added that the agreement is the start of ongoing discussions with Jobcentre Plus to actively promote the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism sector as one offering a significant opportunity for employment over the coming years.  Total employment in the sector is forecast to grow by nearly 10% – 208,000 additional jobs by 2017. -ends-                          For further information please contact:Oksana HigglesdenTel:  01895 817010Email:  [email protected]  Notes to Editors:·         People 1^st (www.people1st.co.uk) is the sector skills council for the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism industries focusing on transforming skills in the sector through the development of world class qualifications in management and leadership, customer service and craft skills.  ·         The hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism industry employs two million people in the UK accounting for 1 in 14 UK jobs.  The sector contributes £160 billion accounting for nearly 5% of the UK’s total economic output.