The UK's leading contract caterers are teaming up to tackle the industry's debilitating skills shortages by making colleges and universities aware of career opportunities in the sector.
Compass Group, Sodexho and Aramark are planning to host university lecturers and careers officers during the Springboard Careers Festival in October.
'Our biggest problem — and the biggest hurdle to growth in this industry — is the lack of people coming into it,' said Mike Oldfield, chairman of the British Hospitality Association's Contract Catering Forum and business relations manager at Compass Group.
'Universities that produce students with hospitality qualifications tend to concentrate very much on the opportunities that hotels and restaurants offer and are unaware of the careers available on the contracting side,' he said.
Oldfield added that 15 or so contractors would be involved in the scheme. 'We aim to become more proactive in showing these people, who influence the choices of our youngsters, that there is life outside hotels and restaurants,' he said.
Source
The Facilities Business