#MyHospitalityLife
Championing the industry
Springboard are calling on as many hospitality professionals as possible to get involved with #MyHospitalityLife from Friday 17th September onwards, showcasing the industry as a great place to work with excellent career prospects, to inspire the next generation.
We’re asking our hospitality family to share and interact with posts tagged with #MyHospitalityLife on social media, join discussions about the industry, celebrate the many positives and dispel the myths. You can create your own social media posts, whether they are testimonials or videos to show people the highlights of what you do, why you do it and even demo some of the impressive skills you have gleaned throughout your career.
Hospitality is growing and is crying out for new talent to hop on board. There is no other industry like it in terms of flexibility, variety, fast-track career progression and great perks. We want to let people know what hospitality can offer – the different roles, routes of entry and career journeys available to those with the ambition to succeed in this fast-paced industry.
We are asking our Ambassador Partners to
- Create case studies following the instructions given, submitting them to us for us to share across our online platforms. Quotes, pictures, testimonials, or videos that highlight what you do and why you do it. Showcase the impressive skills you have gleaned throughout your hospitality career.
- Share and interact with posts tagged with #MyHospitalityLife on social media to create discussions around the industry.
- Tying in with National Hospitality Day, go Live and share stories of interviews with your employees & colleagues, a behind scenes tour, a job-swap day, or a cook-off? Could you show us how to create latte art or run a Cocktail Masterclass?
- Encourage colleagues & friends to sign-up as a Springboard Ambassador to help promote the industry.
My Hospitality Life is for people in any role in hospitality, whether they’re new to the industry or have been working in it for 40 years – lets create one positive, enthusiastic voice. We want to show people what we do, what hospitality can offer people and the different career journeys for those who want to succeed.
Find out more about becoming a Springboard Ambassador: www.springboard.uk.net/ambassadors
Hospitality Apprenticeships Week
#MoreThanAJob
Employers have been called on to showcase their talented workforce during Hospitality Apprenticeships Week 2021 to attract new people and change perceptions of roles within the industry. Taking place from Monday 18 to Friday 22 October 2021, the campaign will also launch the first ever hospitality apprenticeships hub, which is hosted by the industry support platform, CareerScope. Launching later this month, the hub will be a one stop shop for careers advice and apprenticeship opportunities, with thousands of live roles, as well as sector pathway guides and case studies.
This year’s campaign is called ‘more than a job’, and employers can use the hashtag #MoreThanAJob to educate and inspire potential recruits about the breadth of roles and development opportunities hospitality can offer, as well as showcase their brand and current apprenticeship vacancies.
About the week
There will be a different theme each day during Hospitality Apprenticeships Week showcasing hospitality apprenticeships and the different career pathways available. They are:
- Monday – hospitality and apprenticeships – busting the myths
- Tuesday – hospitality job roles: chef
- Wednesday – hospitality job roles: front of house
- Thursday – hospitality job roles: supervisors and management
- Friday – Join us: be part of our team
An employer campaign toolkit, social assets, suggested posts and campaign ideas can be downloaded here.
Who’s behind the campaign?
The campaign has been developed by the Hospitality Apprenticeships Steering Group, which is made up of some of the industry’s biggest employers, training providers, key industry trade bodies and government representatives in the UK.
Chris Gamm, chief executive of hospitality charity Springboard, one of the organisations behind the campaign and the CareerScope hub, said: “It’s well known that hospitality needs to attract more home-grown talent to address the current staffing shortages and ensure there is a sustainable talent pipeline for many years to come. Hospitality Apprenticeships Week is a brilliant way to showcase the industry and your business to your customers and followers, show what a fun and dynamic industry it is to work in, and the brilliant opportunities it offers to develop and build a career.”
Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality and member of the steering group, said: “Hospitality Apprenticeship Week is a fantastic way for people to learn about the wide range of roles in the sector, at a time when there are many opportunities to join the sector’s post-Covid renaissance. Hospitality has embraced apprenticeships as a gateway into roles as well as for upskilling its existing workforce. Anyone looking for a new job or a change of career would do well to take a look at what the sector has to offer. With furlough coming to an end from October and a shortage of staff in the sector, this is perfect timing.”
To find out more information about the newly launched Hospitality Apprenticeships hub, please check out: Hospitality apprenticeships – CareerScope – Hospitality | Leisure | Tourism
Our Summer Raffle Winners!
A huge thank you to all of those who donated a prize to Springboard’s Summer Raffle and to those of you who bought a ticket. All profits from the Summer Raffle will support us to help young and unemployed people obtain hospitality and employability skills in order to start a promising career in hospitality, to achieve our goal of getting 10,000 young people into employment by 2022 and futureproof the talent pipeline for hospitality.
Now it’s time to announce and congratulate our winners:
| One night stay with breakfast at an Apex London Hotel for two – Vince Pearson |
| One year subscription to The Caterer – Tim Adams |
| The Good Egg Bagel Box – Gwaine Cook |
| Overnight stay with breakfast at The Dorchester for two – Vince Pearson |
| Black Label Johnnie Walker Whiskey – Jacqueline Pool |
| Overnight Suite Stay at The Berkeley, inclusive of welcome champagne and breakfast – Simon Lewis |
| One night luxury stay with dinner at Cameron House Loch Lomond – Louise Stoba |
| Walk across the O2 Experience – Vince Pearson |
| An overnight stay for two in a Stables Superior Room with dinner and breakfast at Coworth Park – Colm Kelly |
| Annual family membership for National Trust Scotland – Liz Hartstone |
| Champagne Taittinger Brut Réserve NV in Magnum – Graham Adlard |
| Champagne Afternoon Tea at The Savoy – Vince Pearson |
| One night stay for two in Studio Suite at Royal Lancaster London – Liz Hartstone |
| TEMPLESPA’s multi-award winning TRUFFLE skincare – Calum Harkiss |
| London Cocktail Club package for two – Helen Collingbourne |
| Dinner for two at The Classroom – Christa Heydon |
| Two night mid-week stay any Jury’s Inn Hotel – Hannah Horler |
Enjoy your incredible prizes!
Discover the future of tourism and hospitality
New recruitment drive for tourism and hospitality sectors.
Springboard have just launched a campaign, together with Scot GOV, Visit Scotland and Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA), to encourage people to choose a career in Scotland’s valued tourism and hospitality industry. This is a campaign that will promote the range of roles within the industry, helping people find a job that suits different skill sets. It will support businesses fill the staff shortages that have occurred as a result of Brexit and encourage those aged 18-30 to play a significant role in helping said businesses recover from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic by applying their skills to the diverse job opportunities available now.
We have developed this campaign in conjunction with the sector, and lead partner STA and it is supported by £100,000 funding.
The CEOs
Business and Tourism Minister Ivan McKee said:
“Tourism and hospitality businesses have been extremely hard hit by the pandemic and the ability to employ committed, talented and enthusiastic staff will be an important part of the recovery.
“There are a host of job opportunities needing filled right now to suit a range of passions and interests and the possibilities for a career in hospitality are endless. Whether it’s meeting new people, being part of a team, or working with food, this new campaign highlights that ‘whatever you love doing, there’s a job in hospitality for you’.
“We had pledged £25 million for tourism recovery in the first 100 days of this government and this recruitment campaign will play a key part in that recovery. I hope this recruitment drive will encourage young Scots who perhaps hadn’t considered a job in this sector to look at the many opportunities available to them.”
The Chief Executive of Scottish Tourism Alliance was quoted saying:
“The jobs are here in Scotland’s tourism industry and employers are doing more than ever to support and encourage people to come and work in these roles, whether it’s for the short or longer term.
“The career opportunities are varied and numerous and in a people based sector. There are the added softer benefits such as being a valued part of a team and having something to be proud of – maybe a service that you have delivered or someone’s day that you’ve made with a great hospitality experience.
“This new campaign highlights the possibilities that exist right now for all abilities, skill sets and levels of experience. This summer is absolutely the time to become part of Scotland’s tourism industry and enjoy the buzz and reward that brings.
Leon Thompson, Executive Director at UKHospitality Scotland said:
“This is an important and very welcome campaign, demonstrating the Scottish Government’s support for the country’s hospitality sector. Right now many businesses are struggling to recruit a full workforce, resulting in closures and scaled back service. The campaign, with its focus on young people, helps illustrate the variety of the jobs on offer and the terrific career opportunities that can be enjoyed by people entering hospitality.
“Hospitality is all about people and that starts with a talented and skilled workforce. UKHospitality is delighted to be supporting this campaign.”
What you need to know
The campaign will run from 5 July to 15 August.
The supporters of the campaign include the Scottish Tourism Alliance, UKHospitality Scotland, Skills Development Scotland, Springboard, HIT Scotland, VisitScotland, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and South of Scotland Enterprise.
As part of the campaign, tourism employers are asked to list vacancies on the CareerScope jobs portal. The jobs will then be available to all the CareerScope users and those with profiles will be matched to suitable vacancies.
Employers are encouraged as far as possible to advertise roles as being flexible and to offer training where required as this will encourage more young people to apply.
Springboard career hubs inspire school leavers to venture into the world of hospitality
Springboard is showcasing careers in hospitality, leisure and tourism to 1,200 students through a series of 10 career hub days across the months of May and June, 2021.
Each digital career hub will contain 120 pupils between the ages 17 and 18, from six schools across a series of regions, including London, the Midlands, Northern Ireland and Scotland.Three career hubs have already taken place in Bristol, Manchester and Wales.
These three hubs have featured an introduction to careers in hospitality, an employer spotlight and advice on personal qualities, applying for work and interview skills, as well as talks from Springboard ambassadors.
The career hubs are day-long events, delivered digitally and made up of 4 sessions focussing on careers in hospitality. Students gain a host of skills and knowledge that will give them an advantage when looking for opportunities in the hospitality industry.
Case Studies
Abigail Connolly
Putting the skills that she attained at the University College Birmingham to test, Abigail Connolly is now a student turned owner and operator at Arch 13. Arch 13 (at Connolly’s Wine Shop) is a wine and cheese bar that continues to demonstrate the art of mocktail making to over 110 students. Abigail Connolly’s training and work experience alongside the likes of Glyn
Purnell has strengthened her expertise in wines and spirits, thus making her a trailblazer as the only certified female wine sommelier in Birmingham. Here is Abigail’s career journey in her own words:
“It was a pleasure to work with Springboard on this important initiative, highlighting career opportunities within hospitality and helping young people find their career path.”
– Abigail Connolly
Christopher Smith
Christopher Smith is an established lecturer of Hospitality and Catering at South Birmingham College. He simultaneously supports the hospitality industry by working with Birmingham’s local high schools to promote their courses offered to the youth. Of his experience, Smith said,
“Thank you to you and all your staff for working so hard to put together such an amazing day. Lots of the students have already said how much they enjoyed it and felt it had made them more confident to apply for work. The Arch 13 bit was especially good, as it is in Birmingham they can relate to it and we have worked with Glyn Purnell in the past.”
– Christopher Smith
Career Resources
As part of the careers resources, Springboard has developed a video resource that seeks to give young people an insight into their careers – the latest one focuses on the role of a chef. With career resources like this, Springboard and culinary professionals can work together to help young people at entry level roles in the kitchen learn how to progress through the ranks to a fulfilling career as a chef, for example. Watch this YouTube video here to learn more about Roles in the Kitchen.
Springboard Careers and Education programmes form the initial outreach point of the Springboard 2022 initiative, which will, by the end of 2022, support 10,000 young people as they venture into careers in the hospitality industry. Projections show that it is expected that 1.5m young people will be unemployed across 2021 at a time of crisis in our industry. The impact of COVID-19 on young people has no doubt raised concerns on the future of their careers, particularly if their career relies on an industry that has been adversely affected by COVID-19 itself. With 97% of young people not considering the industry as a career choice, the work Springboard does to engage and inspire young people in schools has never been more important for the future of our industry. It is crucial that we work together to underpin and support the talent pipeline and thereby future proof our industry whilst simultaneously addressing chef shortages – which we will expect to arise again.
More than ever, we need to keep hospitality careers at the forefront of the students’ career options; by equipping them with the basic skills and knowledge that they need, we can ensure that we have enthusiastic and talented young chefs entering the industry.
Together with our hard work and dedication to the work we continue to do in schools, we are confident that the industry will no doubt bounce back. We will be ready with an inspired, fresh pool of talent.
BaxterStorey and Diageo back Springboard to 2022 as official partners
BaxterStorey and Diageo are among a number of major hospitality brands to show their support for Springboard to 2022 after signing up as official partners.
Springboard to 2022 will see hospitality charity, Springboard, support 10,000 young people into careers in hospitality, leisure or tourism over the next 19 months, in association with headline partner Savoy Educational Trust.
Alastair Storey, chairman of BaxterStorey parent company Westbury Street Holdings and Springboard, said it was vital that hospitality businesses leant their support to tackle the industry’s long-term staffing crisis and ensure it has a sufficient pipeline of young talent coming through.
“As hospitality reopens, our industry has a big job to attract more young people to address the skills gap. That is why Springboard to 2022 is so important. The pandemic and Brexit have seen us lose some great talent from across the sector and it’s imperative we showcase hospitality and it’s career prospects.
“Our role is to rebuild our sector again by creating job opportunities and providing the training and development that young people deserve. As an industry, we must demonstrate our commitment to the future of young people in this country. In time, my ambition is to show the maturing of our industry into being a key player in the British economy, with tourism and hospitality regarded as one of the top priorities.”
Nicola Reid, Learning for Life Programme Manager for GB and Europe at Diageo, added: “As delivery partners of Diageo’s Learning for Life programme, Springboard has already helped thousands of hospitality staff across the country and we’re proud to continue to nurture industry talent together to 2022.
“The training Springboard provides not only helps to attract and keep brilliant people into our hospitality sector, but the other associated benefits of building connections, improving personal confidence and picking up new skills can have a positive impact on the mental wellbeing of the people who make the industry so strong.
“Springboard’s support to deliver Learning for Life programmes has been invaluable and we’re looking forward to continuing to work closely with the team to support even more young people in the wonderful world of hospitality.”
Earlier this month, CH&Co pledged to advertise all entry-level roles through Springboard before any other recruitment platform, which could amount to up to 500 roles over the coming months.
Springboard CEO Chris Gamm said: “As the industry reopens, our trainees are engaged and ready to work and we want to hear from employers able to offer them job opportunities now and in the future.”
Get in touch
CH&CO’s double commitment to Springboard and its ‘Springboard to 2022’ programme
CH&CO has strengthened its support of UK hospitality charity, Springboard, and its new initiative ‘Springboard to 2022’ with two clear commitments. The independent catering and hospitality business has pledged to advertise all its entry level roles with Springboard before advertising externally. It has also signed up to work with Springboard to create jobs through the government’s Kickstart scheme.
‘Springboard to 2022’ is the charity’s industry response to hospitality’s skills deficit and staffing crisis, which has been exacerbated by the pandemic, ensuring a skilled and engaged talent pipeline for when the industry needs it most. The goal is to have 10,000 young people trained and ready for work, in line with the industry’s recovery, by December 2022.
CH&CO has pledged to update its recruitment process to help Springboard realise this goal. Moving forward, all entry level roles across the business – including Gather & Gather, Vacherin and Company of Cooks – will be advertised through Springboard before any other external recruitment platforms.
CH&CO is a diverse hospitality business operating in workplaces, education, healthcare, destinations, venues and events and has the potential to offer a wide variety of exciting opportunities. It is estimated that as the industry reopens, this could equate to more than 560 roles over the coming months.
In addition, CH&CO has chosen to work with Springboard to generate work placements for young people through the Kickstart scheme. Kickstart is part of the government’s Plan for Jobs strategy to help create jobs for young people at risk of long-term unemployment as companies kickstart their business post Covid-19.
Charlotte Hutchings, Group People Director at CH&CO, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Springboard to support its valuable ‘Springboard to 2022’ programme. The pandemic and lockdowns have caused untold damage to what was an already delicate hospitality talent pool. As an industry, as we rebuild, we all have a responsibility to restore confidence in hospitality as a diverse and progressive career option and to create opportunities and support for the many young people that have been displaced and disillusioned over the past 12 months.
“Working with Springboard, we are proud to be able to pledge that through our updated recruitment process and our engagement with the Kickstart programme, we will play our part in tackling the staffing crisis and regenerating the industry. Investing in people is invaluable to protect the future of our business and the industry. After all, people are what hospitality is all about.”
Chris Gamm, CEO, Springboard, said: “It’s critical that leaders from across our sector come together to aid the long-term recovery of hospitality post-Covid. We’re thrilled to receive further support from our partners CH&CO for our new project ‘Springboard to 2022’, which aims to have 10,000 young people trained and ready for work by December 2022. Through our new initiative we will work towards ensuring a skilled and engaged talent pipeline ready for when the industry needs it most.
“We would like to thank CH&CO for its commitment to support Springboard’s response to the hospitality industry’s massive skills deficit and staffing crisis. It’s collaborations and industry alliances like these that will enable the sector to recover and thrive once more.”
Last chance to register for Springboard’s Virtual Race to Nicaragua!
We are calling on YOU to dust off your walking boots and register to take part in our Virtual Race to Nicaragua by this Friday 30th April!
We’re on the hunt for intrepid adventurers from across the UK who are willing to walk, run, cycle or push the 5,300 miles to Nicaragua, as a team throughout May.
Springboard launched the Virtual Race to Nicaragua earlier this year after postponing our 2020 trek to Nicaragua, due to the coronavirus pandemic. The annual trek, which has previously taken participants to destinations including Nepal, Vietnam and Borneo, has raised several thousand pounds for Springboard, whilst also supporting local community projects as part of each expedition.
This year’s virtual race is being supported by platinum sponsors CH&Co, Nestlé and Lamb Weston.
Amy-Jane Cahalane, Marketing & Events Partner at Springboard UK, said: “We’re absolutely delighted at the response we’ve had to our virtual race so far. We certainly weren’t going to let COVID-19 get in the way of our fundraising efforts, and it’s heart-warming to see so many fantastic organisations and individuals from the hospitality sector rally behind us and help us to raise vital funds for Springboard, including over 25 sponsors.
“With 30-35 members per team, if you don’t have enough members to start a team, individuals can also sign up and be placed in a team with space. The challenge can be broken down to 177 miles per person with a team of 30 on board – that’s just six miles per day. It’s a fantastic opportunity to support the hospitality industry, get fit and have a lot of fun along the way.”
Participating teams will be able to track their progress and collective miles covered using the My Virtual Mission platform.
Registration is £10 per person, which includes a goody bag, an official virtual race t-shirt and the opportunity to earn prizes throughout the month. Each team has pledged to raise £3,000 for Springboard as part of the challenge. Participants can register via www.springboard.uk.net/race.
If you are signing up as an individual, just write ‘assign a team’ in the team name box and we’ll find you a great team to join.
Hospitality employers called on to pledge jobs for Springboard trainees
Springboard is calling on hospitality employers to get in touch about offering job opportunities to its latest cohort of trainees.
Over the past 12 months, 1,917 people across the UK and Ireland completed Springboard’s employability programmes, which equip young and disadvantaged people with careers advice, life skills and industry qualifications to launch their careers in hospitality, leisure, and tourism.
Springboard CEO Chris Gamm said: “We typically expect to get 65%-70% of trainees completing our employability programmes into work, but because of the impact of the Covid pandemic on hospitality, the jobs haven’t been there. But as the industry reopens, our trainees are engaged and ready to work and we want to hear from employers able to offer them job opportunities now and in the future.”
“Our trainees typically remain with their first employer for 18-24 months, nearly twice as long as the industry average, providing businesses with a stable workforce as we come out of this extremely challenging period.”
Over the next 20 months, Springboard will be supporting 10,000 young people into work through its Springboard to 2022 programme, in partnership with lead partner Savoy Educational Trust and official partners BaxterStorey and Diageo.
Leading hospitality businesses have already pledged a combined 1,000 jobs to Springboard to 2022, many through the government’s Kickstart scheme, including: IHG, Compass, BaxterStorey, Nando’s, Hilton, CH&Co, D&D London, Dorchester Collection, Village Hotels, Rockfish and Turtle Bay.
Get in touch
If you are currently recruiting for your hospitality business and are looking for motivated, trained individuals who are ready to excel in a new opportunity, get in touch:
Our awards raffle winners have been drawn!
Our Virtual Awards raffle took place throughout March. Thank you to all who purchased a ticket and the wonderful businesses who donated a prize! All proceeds from the raffle will be used to help Springboard to futureproof the talent pipeline for Hospitality.
We’re delighted to announce our raffle winners below:
The stunning Rockliffe Hall is the North-East’s best kept secret. Enjoy a luxurious staycation for two at this five-star retreat. Marvel at the idyllic landscape of County Durham and discover world-class golf, an award-winning spa and of course the 3AA Rosette Orangery restaurant
Winner: Eugenio Perri
For an overnight stay for two, the award-winning Stock Exchange is sure to blow you away, with dining by Tom Kerridge at the Bull & Bear and a unique interior, commemorating the rich history of Manchester, with the original Edwardian architecture of the Stock Exchange.
Winner: Charlotte Adamson
Escape the everyday with a trip for two to Cliveden House & Spa in the heart of the Berkshire countryside. Join previous guests such as Charlie Chaplin, Winston Churchill and President Roosevelt to revel in the beauty of this Grade I listed stately home.
Winner: Keith Wilson
Located in the City of London, the South Place Hotel is just a stone’s throw away from some top tourist attractions. This prize not only includes an overnight stay, but also dinner for two at the hotel’s Michelin-starred Angler restaurant, complete with a bottle of wine!
Winner: Ken Arkley
Dine beneath a canopy of greenery and breathe in the incredible city views at 14 Hills restaurant, London with a meal for two, including a bottle of wine chosen by their Head Sommelier. Enjoy seasonal British produce with a hint of French flair, cooked to perfection by Chef John Barber.
Winner: James Dugmore
Handcrafted from acetate and stainless steel, the Master & Dynamic MW07 Plus True Wireless Earphones offer a listening experience like no other. With up to 40 hours total playtime, Bluetooth 5.0 and Active Noise-Cancelling technology, this prize is not one to miss out on.
Winner: Clare Haggarty
Enjoy spectacular views of Hyde Park as you luxuriate in your suite at the Mandarin Oriental. Including a bottle of champagne, this one night stay for two will provide the ultimate high-end hotel experience, complete with full English breakfast.
Winner: Ian Phillips
The Lowry Hotel represents a creatively relaxing sanctuary away from the bustle of city life. Located on the banks of the River Irwell, the hotel pays tribute to the nominal Salford artist with its unique decor and striking architecture. Enjoy an overnight stay for two with dinner.
Winner: Stephen Moss
Champagne upon arrival, an overnight stay in a king-sized bedroom at the luxurious Berkeley Hotel in Knightsbridge, and a complimentary English breakfast. Sound good to you? Live like the other half for a weekend with this raffle prize.
Winner: Paul Pavli
You’d struggle to find an award that HASN’T been won by the widely-recognised Pig Hotel. Famously popular, this prize of a midweek lunch for two at the restaurant is akin to gold dust. Additionally, the prize includes a bottle of their new Pig Cut Wine – what’s not to want?
Winner: Annabel Frances
For the ultimate weekend getaway, the highly revered Gleneagles luxury 5-star hotel is the best you can get. Enjoy the stunning sights of the Perthshire landscape and take a swing at its world-famous golf course during this overnight stay for two.
Winner: Katy Moses
Whether for an indulgent, romantic escape or a rural weekend adventure, Coworth Park offers something for everyone. This prize of an overnight stay for two with breakfast and dinner at their Michelin-starred 4 AA rosette restaurant will make for a weekend to remember.
Winner: Sean Wheeler
Discover the secret history of one of London’s most exclusive members’ clubs with this overnight stay for two at The Ned. Few hotels will be able to rival the beautiful interiors of this heritage building in the heart of the capital. You’ll also enjoy access to Ned’s Club.
Winner: Jane Pendlebury
Explore the splendour of the north with an overnight stay for two at the Rudding Park Hotel in Harrogate. Enjoy a dip in their indoor swimming pool or luxuriate in the juniper log sauna. This luxury hotel also features a 14-seat cinema and a stunning 18-hole golf course!
Winner: Claire Clarke
Huge congratulations to all of our winners!