Hospitality job vacancies up 32,000 on pre-pandemic levels

The number of job vacancies in the hospitality industry has risen by 32,000 since before the start of the pandemic, new figures show.

There were 121,000 unfilled roles in the sector between July and September 2023, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

This marks a 36% rise on the 89,000 job vacancies recorded before the coronavirus lockdown began in January to March 2020.

UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls said staff shortages remained a “significant challenge” with many businesses operating at below full capacity.

Rick Stein’s hospitality group, which is one of the largest private sector employers in Cornwall, said staff shortages had made trading more difficult last year.

Earlier this month, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) did not recommend any hospitality roles were added to the shortage occupation list, which makes it easier for business to recruit from abroad.

However, it has recommended that experienced sommeliers with more than three years’ full-time experience by eligible for skilled work visas after seeing evidence of around 500 to 600 sommelier vacancies in the UK. Bar managers and wine directors told The Caterer the move would be a “lifeline” for the industry.

The MAC also recommended the Youth Mobility Scheme be expanded to more countries to help sectors with "a more fluid labour market such as hospitality" to recruit.

This scheme allows young people from eligible countries to work in the UK for up to two years without formal sponsorship from employers with no restrictions on the type of work they can do.

In a bid to tackle staff shortages, UKHospitality has called on the government to change the apprenticeship levy to a modular approach and allow 25% of funds to be used for non-apprenticeship training.

“Government action in these areas would be a clear signal it is prepared to help businesses resolve a key issue, as well as keeping venues at the heart of their communities thriving,” said Nicholls.

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