Stronger Together - but don't worry, this isn't (just) about the B word...
Plugging the skills gap is an ongoing obstacle in the hospitality industry. On a daily basis, we’re seeing that organisations large and small are struggling to attract and retain the talent they need to help their business not only run effectively, but to grow.
This isn’t a challenge that can be solved on a case-by-case basis, it’s an industry-wide problem that needs an industry-wide solution. And, the only way this can be achieved is if we all work together to utilise our combined resources and support our peers from all different businesses.
As an apprenticeship provider, I’ve spoken at length about the Apprenticeship Levy and the benefits it can provide businesses when it comes to upskilling and retaining their workforce. While many companies have started to reap these benefits, there is still ￡3bn of unspent Apprenticeship Levy funding in the UK. In the hospitality industry specifically, fewer than half of organisations have used their funding[1].
To me, this seems like an untapped opportunity. This money can be used to help tackle the skills shortage and protect the future of the sector – especially as the funds will start to expire from May 2019.
That’s why we’ve launched the Don’t Waste: The Future of Hospitality campaign, which has been created to help the sector avoid losing out on funds available.
As part of this, we’re encouraging Levy-paying business in the hospitality sector to pledge to fund at least one apprenticeship outside of their company, by taking advantage of the fact that businesses can transfer 25% of their Levy to other SMEs and charities (this increased from 10% on 1st April 2019). Our recent survey shows that 65% of Levy-paying businesses in the industry are currently unaware they can make such a transfer [2].
We live in challenging times, with the skills shortage and political uncertainty presenting ongoing issues, so now is the time to join forces and strengthen the industry. And with millions of pounds specifically earmarked for training and development in the hospitality industry potentially going unspent, we’re wholeheartedly encouraging businesses to maximise the funds from the Apprenticeship Levy to protect the future of the sector.
Click here for more information on our Don’t Waste: The Future of Hospitality campaign.
[1] Survey of 250 HR managers or senior figures working in hospitality. 3GEM in collaboration with HIT Training, November 2018
[2]Survey of 250 HR managers or senior figures working in hospitality. 3GEM in collaboration with HIT Training, November 2018