Business

Hospitality and tourism sector campaign seeks 'people with passion'

As tourism and hospitality recovers from the pandemic, there is an urgent need to support businesses to fill a range of current vacancies and to inspire people to consider a career in the industry
As tourism and hospitality recovers from the pandemic, there is an urgent need to support businesses to fill a range of current vacancies and to inspire people to consider a career in the industry As tourism and hospitality recovers from the pandemic, there is an urgent need to support businesses to fill a range of current vacancies and to inspire people to consider a career in the industry

EVEN before the pandemic, skills shortages had already been hitting the north’s hospitality and tourism sector, according to employer-led network the Hospitality & Tourism Skills network (HATS).

And it has now partnered with Tourism NI to spearhead a multi-channel advertising campaign to combat the crisis and promote the breadth of exciting opportunities that the industry has to offer potential job seekers.

Roisin McKee, director of the HATS network, insists there’s now a need to restore confidence in the sector so that it is recognised as a stable and viable option for fulfilling careers

“To help the sector recover, we urgently need to support businesses to fill current vacancies and to raise the profile of positions with good employers and inspire people to consider a career in the industry.

“There are incredible opportunities for people to join this industry yet there are still people who have misconceptions about the types of jobs available and the required skills. Employers are looking for people with personality and passion”

The industry recruitment campaign aligns employers’ needs, a portal for job applicants, as well as a best practice charter.

Running until the end of this month, the campaign features a series of quirky eye-catching job descriptions across billboards, outdoor advertising and social media to attract attention and highlight the dynamic and fast-paced roles available, helping to attract new recruits.

“We have an ambition to be able to attract, develop and retain the future talent that the industry needs,” Roisin added.

“We want to champion people at the heart of the industry and change the narrative - to be seen as an exciting industry offering quality jobs, and at the same time, focus on retaining the people that are already in the industry.”

As the hospitality and tourism sector begins to look forward, there are key roles that are difficult to recruit for, including kitchen staff, food and beverage roles, housekeeping and mid-management.

But Roisin believes the new campaign will help address some of the issues.

“We as consumers mostly experience customer facing roles, but a career in the industry is not limited to the reception, bar or the restaurant. There’s a wealth of diverse roles back of house and in supporting roles such as finance, HR, marketing and the wider visitor experience.

“Self-employment and entrepreneurial opportunities are also a huge pull for many entering the sector. We have people who follow their passion in areas such as craft beers and whiskey for example, and open up distilleries.”

Employers can upload their vacancies free at https://careerscope.uk.net/employer-sign-up while jobseekers can check out available roles at https://careerscope.uk.net/jobs/NI