Perceptions Group to meet shadow defence minister over employment of ex-military in pub trade

Chairman Keith Knowles,  who is the CEO of Beds & Bars, was originally approached by shadow defence secretary Jim Murphy to speak to representatives in the hospitality industry about how they can harness the skills of ex-armed forces personnel as part of the Veterans Interview Programme (VIP), which Labour launched last year.

The scheme, which has attracted more than 20 companies, encourages firms to voluntarily guarantee an interview for job-seeking ex-forces personnel or offer other employment support.
Murphy, who met with Knowles in April, believes that the pub sector can benefit from the “significant skills and qualities” of ex-armed forces staff.

“Guaranteeing an interview, where appropriate, to job applicants with a service background would bring veterans closer to the labour market and, if they were to impress, would provide a great chance for them to gain suitable employment,” a shadow opposition team spokeswoman said. “Such an initiative would not guarantee anyone a job, but rather a ‘foot in the door’.”

No date has yet been set, but Knowles and Murphy are due to meet again to discuss how to get key pub industry representatives together to take the programme forward.

Robert Savage, communications manager for Beds & Bars, said: “With the correct implementation such an initiative could benefit both ex-service personnel and the industry.

Jim Murphy MP, the Department for Work & Pensions and the Perceptions work-placement initiative are already at the discussion table. The next step is to get as many key representatives of the industry to that table and see where — as an industry — we can take this.”
The Perceptions Group was established earlier this year to attract young people to the hospitality industry.