HOSPITALITY industry bosses in the district are aiming to catch future employees young.
Stratford MP Nadhim Zahawi and the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce are writing to every primary school in the area stressing the potential of careers in the commercial hospitality industry.
The move comes after several hotels and hospitality companies voiced concern at a recent meeting that working within the likes of the tourist industry, hotels, and restaurants was not being promoted to young people as a career choice.
Mr Zahawi said the commercial hospitality sector needed skilled people in a wide range of disciplines.
“It is such a varied sector and the feeling from the meeting was that the opportunity it offers is not being highlighted to our youngsters, so does not become a potential career choice.
“Obviously the sector in this area must help that message get across, but I am more than happy to encourage our schools to engage with the businesses in our area so that it is really appreciated.
“I will write to all our primary schools as an introduction and am sure that they will be interested.
“The people representing some of our leading business themselves highlighted just how rewarding a career in hospitality can be and how it can offer a strong career ladder.”
Peter Burns, past president of the Chamber, echoed the MP’s comments.
He said: “It came over very strongly indeed that more needs to be done to get the message out there and that hospitality companies felt it was a contributory reason in why they find it so hard to recruit local people.
“Obviously the high levels of employment and a shortage of affordable housing are major factors. They are certainly not easily solvable, but a stronger contact with schools should be relatively easy to fix, and that is what we are trying to do with Nadhim’s help.”
