Mayor of Greater Manchester and hotel and restaurants bosses unite to encourage jobseekers to ‘make a career in tourism and hospitality’

• Sector suffering recruitment challenge as lockdown eases
• Intervention from sector leaders encourages jobseekers to consider careers in tourism and hospitality
• Live vacancies launched on Tourism & Hospitality Talent Hub

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, Marketing Manchester, and tourism and hospitality leaders from across Greater Manchester have issued an urgent call out to jobseekers, asking them to consider a career within the city-region’s thriving sector.

The sector, which prior to Covid-19 was worth around £9 billion and employed over 100,000 people in bars, restaurants, hotels, attractions and the wider supplier chain, is currently suffering a new recruitment challenge following a year of difficulties caused by repeated lockdowns, European workers leaving the UK and many experienced hospitality staff leaving the sector.

The intervention comes at a critical moment as businesses experience an extraordinary surge in demand from customers with lockdown restrictions easing; however, staffing issues are becoming increasingly problematic with around 3,000 estimated vacancies currently live within Greater Manchester’s tourism and hospitality sector alone.

Marketing Manchester and GC Employment – both part of The Growth Company – have launched live vacancies on the Tourism & Hospitality Talent Hub which provides full employment support, career advice and guidance for all individuals who are working or looking to work in the hospitality, leisure and tourism sector. The Hub also provides assistance to businesses with recruitment and training; including fully funded courses to enable businesses to retain staff by enabling them to get accredited industry-specific qualifications boosting skills and productivity.

The Hub draws on established employment services offered by GC Employment, specialist input from Greater Manchester’s promotional agency and tourist board Marketing Manchester, and practical support from the Manchester Hoteliers’ Association (MHA).

Mayor Andy Burnham is supporting the intervention and continues to call on Government to support the industry following the roadmap announcement last week. He has asked Night Time Economy advisor Sacha Lord to join forces with his London counterpart Amy Lame, to mobilise businesses North and South behind a call for the extension of furlough, business rates relief and reduced VAT in line with the government roadmap.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “As pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels have reopened in recent weeks we’ve all enjoyed being back out and about, however, many will have noticed how busy venues are and the stress and strain that is evident behind those smiling faces. I’d like to firstly offer support and acknowledgement to those working in the sector who are doing incredible work under a massive amount of pressure.

 “By recent estimates, there are around 3,000 live vacancies in Greater Manchester’s tourism and hospitality sector with jobs ranging from hotel receptions and front of house managers to business development directors and general managers. We’re known across the country and around the globe for offering world-class entertainment, leisure and hospitality in Greater Manchester, but to keep that reputation we need brilliant people from across the region to start a career in the sector.”

Sheona Southern, Managing Director of Marketing Manchester, added: “It is encouraging to see businesses trading and starting to thrive again as we recover from the effects of restrictions, however the industry urgently needs new staff and support to help it cope with the exceptional demand. The Tourism & Hospitality Talent Hub has remained open throughout the year to provide advice and support to the fantastic colleagues who work in the tourism and hospitality sector. It is a one-stop shop for people seeking employment in the sector, as well as offering guidance to businesses on recruitment and training and access to funding.

“Marketing Manchester continues to lobby Government for improved support for the sector, and we hope to see businesses supported through the extension of the business rates holiday, and the 5% VAT rates to help the tourism and hospitality sector as it attempts to recover business to pre-2019 levels.”

Adrian Ellis, Chair of Manchester Hoteliers Association, added: “A career in tourism and hospitality is like no other and the sector is full of highly skilled people who will say the same – it’s a community of people with amazing people skills, who have an acute understanding of what their customers and clients need, and love what they do. It’s tough at times but incredibly rewarding.

“Coming out of this pandemic, the sector is at a really important cross-road – it will either face severe difficulties under the weight of high-demand that it is unable to service, or we will push through with new talent joining the sector who can rise quickly and develop meaningful careers as we embrace the huge opportunity that lies ahead. If we can convince the next generation of people to make a career in tourism and hospitality, I believe that Greater Manchester’s sector will be stronger than ever.”

As well as the Tourism & Hospitality Talent Hub service available now, later this year, on 23 September 2021, The Growth Company, along with a wide range of partner organisations will host PROGRESS21 – a one-day in-person conference focused on careers, businesses and Greater Manchester’s global ambition. A major element of the event will be a careers fair where jobseekers from across the region can receive support and advice on getting into work and meet businesses from all sectors from across Greater Manchester with thousands of job vacancies available. To register for PROGRESS21 and to find out more visit progress21.co.uk.