The group, which includes employees from pubs, restaurants, hotels and visitor attractions, has backed UKHospitality’s (UKH) call for a reduction in employer national insurance contributions.
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In a joint statement, the signatories said hospitality had provided them with opportunities to enter work, develop skills and progress into management roles, but warned rising costs were restricting similar opportunities for younger workers.
They said: “Hospitality has been a sector of opportunity for us all. The opportunity for a first job, the opportunity to learn new skills, and the opportunity to develop a hugely rewarding career.
“There is no other sector like hospitality. It is the ultimate meritocracy that rewards hard work, creativity, drive and, frankly, people who want to get things done.”
Employment costs
Among the signatories is Liberty Chrystall, 23, who became general manager of the Railway on the Wirral aged 21 and has since overseen a six figure investment in the pub.
Harry Bourne, 29, is an operations manager at Punch Pubs, supporting around 40 sites across the East Midlands after first entering hospitality aged 16.
Other signatories include Ella Jackaman, 22, who began her hospitality career as a kitchen porter before progressing into restaurant management, and Rabee Bond, 24, who has worked his way through a number of roles since joining Hilton aged 17.
The group said the sector’s current cost pressures were having a direct impact on recruitment and progression.
“We all want young people today to have the same opportunities we did but we have to be honest, they are becoming few and far between,” the statement said.
“Prime Minister: hospitality will help you solve the NEETs crisis, if you just give the incredible businesses in our sector some breathing space to do what we do best.”
Among the signatories is Liberty Chrystall, 23, who became general manager of The Railway on the Wirral aged 21, and Harry Bourne, 29, an operations manager at Punch Pubs supporting around 40 pubs across the East Midlands.
Others include employees from Butlin’s, Hilton, Franco Manca and Alton Towers.
Youth employment drive
The intervention comes as hospitality operators prepare to take part in a Government backed initiative aimed at creating 100,000 job opportunities for young people over the next three years.
Stonegate Group, Fuller’s, Mitchells & Butlers and a number of other hospitality businesses have signed up to the programme, which will target 18 to 24 year olds who are not in education, employment or training.
The scheme will include paid employment, work experience and training, alongside expanded access to the Hospitality Skills Passport.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has described the number of young people outside employment, education or training as a “moral failure”.
UKHospitality figures show around a third of first jobs for under 25s are in hospitality, while the sector provides around 300,000 job starts for 16 to 24 year olds each year.
The trade body has repeatedly warned rising employment costs are limiting operators’ ability to recruit and invest in growth.
