The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed details of a scheme providing 100,000 jobs for people aged 18 to 24 through a new Hospitality Skills Passport, with major high street firms including McDonald's, Burger King and Nando's taking part.
In an update issued after a parliamentary question, the DWP explained support on offer for young people through entry-level roles in the hospitality sector. The scheme has already been launched in Cardiff, London, Liverpool, Manchester and Coventry.
Employers committed to the scheme
The companies involved in the scheme for 100,000 workers are: Burger King, Parkdean Resorts, Whitbread, Haven, De Vere, Wagamama, Nando's, WSH Limited, Merlin Entertainments, Marriott, Stonegate Group, Sodexo, Mitchells and Butler, McDonald's, Compass and Fuller's.
Responding to a question from West Midlands MP Preet Kaur Gill, DWP minister Andrew Western said: "With around one million young people not in education, employment and training, this Government will not leave an entire generation of young people behind. The Government is investing an additional £2.5 billion by 2029 into the Youth Guarantee and the Growth and Skills Levy, supporting almost one million young people and creating up to 500,000 opportunities to earn and learn."
Hospitality training programme
Mr Western said the opportunities would be delivered through direct recruitment and a hospitality training programme providing disadvantaged young people with sector-specific experience, a guaranteed interview and a Hospitality Skills Passport, which certifies that participants have the skills needed to succeed in the sector.
He added: "Hospitality businesses including Whitbread, McDonald's, Nando's, Marriott, Compass, Burger King and Wagamama have committed to providing over 100,000 jobs for 18 to 24-year-olds who are not in employment, education or training by the end of Parliament."
In Wales, Greene King, Brewhouse & Kitchen and Compass Cymru are all supporting the Cardiff scheme. Jane Byrd, managing director of Compass Cymru, part of the Compass Group UK & Ireland, said: "We are part of a barrierless industry where often people need no or very few qualifications to join. This puts us in a unique position to help offer opportunities for people to develop and thrive."
Hospitality Skills Passport details
DWP also supports routes into the sector through hospitality Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs), which provide pre-employment training alongside work experience and a guaranteed job interview. In collaboration with UKHospitality, the Destination Hospitality SWAP pilot has been extended to 22 SWAPs in 16 areas across England and Scotland.
UKHospitality says 80 per cent of people completing the course are now employed in the hospitality industry. Kate Nicholls, Chief Executive of UKHospitality, said: "The new Hospitality Skills Passport initiative that we've developed, which is backed by the sector and being piloted by Government, does just that and can revolutionise the way we recruit, induct and develop our people."
