200k international workers have left UK hospitality sector since 2019, while 1 in 4 employers seeing rise in local jobseekers
As many as 196,000* international workers have left the UK hospitality sector since the pandemic, despite post-Brexit visa schemes introduced by the government, shows our new report.
The report*, which surveyed 250 hospitality employers from around the UK, reveals the changing demographic makeup of a sector which has for so long relied on an EU workforce.
As the industry struggles with new and historic labour shortages,our report last year showed how some 90,000 EU workers had left the sector. This latest report shows the proportion of European workers has continued to shrink and many as 120,000 have now left the UK’s hospitality sector. More than 70,000 workers from other international countries have also dropped out of the workforce.
Whilst positive changes have been recently made by the Government to allow more international workers to come to the UK, such as making Chefs eligible for a Skilled Worker Visa, the report shows these schemes are not having a strong enough impact.
Our report has found that while 61% of hospitality employers are registered to hire internationally, immigration policies are deterring 89% from hiring overseas. Barriers include lack of Visa flexibility or availability (42%), unclear and changing guidelines from the government (38%) and associated costs such as Visas (34%). Over a quarter (27%) of hospitality employers are not confident that they would know how to sponsor an international worker.
With barriers stopping businesses from hiring aboard and the report showing that two in five (43%) hospitality businesses have had to reduce operations as a result of the staffing crisis, there is a growing need for employers to look closer to home to fill roles and some green shoots have started to emerge.
Indeed, the report shows early signs of UK workers being inspired to join the sector, with 25% of hospitality businesses seeing an increase in local candidates. As the make-up of the industry changes post pandemic and post Brexit, the proportion of UK homegrown talent in the sector has increased.
Kathy Dyball, Director at Caterer.com comments: “The hospitality sector is experiencing a sustained and severe labour crisis which is impacting its ability to thrive and limiting its potential contribution to the UK economy. Making chefs eligible for Skilled Worker status was good start, however our report suggests this is yet to have a significant impact and highlights that the immigration system is unclear, with employers facing barriers when it comes to hiring overseas. However, it’s great to see an increase in homegrown talent entering the sector, and its now vital to continue to drive this by tapping into different talent pools throughout the UK.
*Source: Number of workers based on Nomis (ONS) data from April 2019 to March 2020 and January 2021 to December 2021. Research Caterer.com commissioned research through Opinium to survey: 250 hospitality senior DMs responsible for recruitment between 21st – 29th July 2022
You may also like
On average, the majority of people working in UK hospitality are aged between 20 and 24, according to research carried out by the CIPD in their 2019 Megatrends report. As an industry hospitality is powered by young talent at entry level, with many seeing hospitality as a stopgap job, looking for opportunities rather than a career. What can the sector do to engage and retain its young workforce?
Recently, Caterer.com hosted roundtable discussions to address the current skills crisis and to gauge the opinion of hospitality leaders on sourcing entry level talent. Engaging the next generation of hospitality workers is vital for the industry and forming stronger links with educational organisations could go a long way in ensuring the success and future growth of the sector.
Caterer.com hosted a series of roundtable discussions around the UK to address the current skills crisis and to gauge the opinion of hospitality leaders on sourcing entry level talent for the hospitality industry.