London's City Hall to host the Big Hospitality Conversation

London's City Hall is to host the latest Big Hospitality Conversation, as the mayor's office gets behind the youth employment initiative.

Taking place on Wednesday 24th September 2014, the event will feature deputy mayor Kit Malthouse and chef Brian Turner along with hospitality industry leaders and job seekers. They will discuss the opportunities available in hospitality and attempt to marry job seekers with employers.

Malthouse said: "Government statistics show that the hospitality sector has been at the heart of the economic recovery, helping to cut youth unemployment, and The Big Hospitality Conversation is part of the industry's drive to create even more job opportunities for 16-24 year olds.

"As an economic powerhouse and a principle tourist destination it's clear to me that the London hospitality industry has a lot to offer young people."

The City Hall Big Hospitality Conversation follows last month's Government figures which show the contribution hospitality is making to the country's economic recovery. The sector is generating more jobs than manufacturing construction, education or healthcare.

British Hospitality Association chief executive Ufi Ibrahim added that the industry offered prospects for job seekers of all age but there was too much of a stigma against young people pursuing vocational, on the job training.

She said: "We urge young people to look beyond outdated viewpoints and join our industry. The breadth of job roles in hospitality and the training available means that bright and focused young people can succeed very quickly.

"The Big Hospitality Conversation events provide the ideal opportunity to get the ball rolling and we welcome young people and hospitality businesses looking to make a pledge. At the City Hall event businesses will be offering on the spot job opportunities, so a young job seeker could start the day unemployed and leave with a job. Where, in any other industry, would that happen?"

For more information on the City Hall Big Hospitality Conversation visit www.bha.org.uk/events/big-conversation/