MIND THE GAP: PRACTICAL WAYS TO FILL THE HOSPITALITY RECRUITMENT & SKILLS GAP IN LONDON

Tuesday 4th March 2008
At the Gymnasium at St Pancras, London
from 16.30-19.00

NOTES FROM GRANT HEARN'S OPENING SPEECH

An audience of 45 industry professionals, training providers and government agencies gathered to hear, for the first time ever, from all of the government bodies responsible for recruitment and skills for the hospitality industry in London.

Grant Hearn, CEO of Travelodge hosted the afternoon event at the Gymnasium St Pancras. Grant explained that the skills and recruitment problem in London, and in particular for the hospitality industry, is severe with a high staff turnover of around 70%. Travelodge has recently undergone a major growth programme which is set to continue as they strive to become London 's biggest hotel chain in time for the 2012 games. This growth programme has meant a need for job-ready staff and Grant announced that Travelodge was the first hospitality organisation to talk to government agencies to find recruitment solutions.

Job Centre Plus screened potential candidates for Travelodge who in turn guaranteed the candidates an interview. 12 of those employed via this scheme worked at the new flagship hotel in London and two of those have put themselves forward for a fast-track management scheme which fits with Grant's aim to have 85% of management positions recruited internally. The scheme was expanded in time for the opening of Travelodge's hotel at Terminal 5 where seven of the reception staff were recruited via the government-aided programme.

The next opening for Travelodge in Euston has utilised the full scheme which includes a three week pre-employment training period for successful candidates. There is room for further expansion of the programme to include upskilling for existing Travelodge's employees via schemes such as Train to Gain.

After working with the programme successfully, and having seen what is on offer, Grant wondered why other organisations hadn't followed suit and urged the industry to follow his lead.

In terms of the wider context of the scheme, Grant expressed that the industry should get involved not only because it is the right thing to do for their business but also because of the benefits it has for the industry to show the government how many entry level jobs the industry can provide so that they take tourism & hospitality more seriously.