Hotel stays motivate young people to seek hospitality careers, says EHS
Meanwhile, seeing family and friends working in the industry was also a motivator for 13% of first year students and 11% of final year students
Visiting a hotel, attending an event or seeing friends and family working in hospitality and events motivate young people to pursue careers in the hospitality sector, according to research by Edge Hotel School.
The research is based on surveys of all current first and final year students at the school in Essex, which runs an accelerated two-year or a three-year bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management or Event Management while providing on-the-job training.
Results revealed that many students had developed an interest in working in hospitality and events after experiencing them as guests or participants, as 24% said they were inspired to pursue a career after attending an event or visiting a hotel.
Meanwhile, seeing family and friends working in the industry was also a motivator for 13% of first year students and 11% of final year students.
According to the survey, 44% of first year and 45% of final year students plan to move companies after 12 to 18 months of joining, while 41% of first years and 37% of final year students will make the move between 18 months and three years. Only 4% of final year students plan to stay with their first employer for more than five years and it isn’t a consideration for any first year students.
Of graduates surveyed, 70% said they expected to be promoted within a year to 18 months of starting their first role.
Andy Boer, principal of Edge Hotel School, said: “The findings of our survey allow us to understand the perceptions and expectations of those who are about to, or planning to, work in the hospitality and events sectors. As well as helping us ensure they are gaining the right opportunities through their workplace training, the results also provide interesting insight for employers.
“Recruiting and retaining staff across both sectors has been challenging for many years, so understanding what the future workforce wants from its career, including how quickly they wish to progress and what they expect to be paid, should help in both areas.”
