MAGAZINE

Recruitment has been one of the biggest challenges facing the industry for some time now. Ever since Brexit (are we finally allowed to say the B word out loud again yet?), hospitality has found it particularly hard to fill the gaps left in the workforce.

To make matters even more complicated, the industry is now finding itself being squeezed from both sides. Despite there still being a shortage of candidates for many caterers, increased costs, such as recent increases in the National Living Wage, coupled with decreases in the National Insurance threshold, have left some unable to take on the extra staff they desperately need – or even, in some cases, keep the valued ones that they already have.

So, what is the solution to this unfortunate situation? Turn to page 14 and this month’s Big issue, where Jane Renton speaks to not one, not two but three experts about the way forward.

Coincidentally, we also have a trio of articles on this subject this month. On page 58, Kate Nicholls uses her monthly column to tell us about the great work UKHospitality is doing rolling out its Sector-based Work Academy Programmes. And we also have a one-off opinion piece from Matt Ephgrave, managing director of Just Eat for Business, who explains why sustainability may just be the solution to keeping staff happy. Turn to page 22 to find out why.