UK hospitality employers pledge 100,000 jobs for young people

Major UK hospitality employers have committed to offering up to 100,000 jobs to young people not currently in education, employment, or training (NEETs). Developed in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions and UKHospitality, the initiative targets individuals aged 18 to 24 to help them gain the skills and confidence necessary to enter the workforce.

Participating businesses include restaurant chains such as McDonald’s, Burger King, Nando’s, and Wagamama, as well as hotel chain Premier Inn and pub groups including Fuller’s and Mitchells & Butlers. The program aims to address concerns regarding the rising number of young adults struggling to find employment, with some warnings suggesting the number of NEETs in the UK could reach 1.25 million over the next five years without intervention.

This recruitment drive follows a similar commitment made by major retailers last month. The hospitality sector, represented by chief executive Allen Simpson, is positioned as a critical employer for young people, providing essential routes into the labor market.