Â鶹ÊÓƵ

A campaign is underway to boost the South Tyneside hospitality sector ahead of the peak summer season.

Â鶹ÊÓƵ will deliver a programme of activity throughout March to promote the roles available, support residents to gain the skills necessary to secure a job in the industry and help employers improve staff recruitment and retention.

Hospitality accounts for 10 per cent of the Borough's business base, employing 3,500 people, with one in three of those aged between 18 and 24.

The campaign will include a hospitality academy, awareness sessions and a jobs fair.

Cllr Margaret Meling, Lead Member for Economic Growth, Skills and Climate Change, said "Hospitality plays a vital role in the Borough's economy and is a big employer of our young people.

"The campaign we have running throughout this month will help those new to the industry get recruitment ready, with the right skills and competencies needed to secure a job as well as the opportunity to meet prospective employers and find out about the roles available.

"Employers have highlighted difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff which then impacts the service they can offer customers in peak season.

"One of our five ambitions is to connect people to jobs, skills and learning, and with this campaign, we're trying to ensure that both employers and staff can get the most out of the busy summer and beyond."

The academy, which will run from 6-17 March, will teach candidates customer service and digital skills, application techniques and allow them to gain a food hygiene certificate. The programme will be delivered through South Tyneside Works and recruitment will be via JobCentre Plus.

Almost 20 local hospitality businesses are already confirmed to attend the jobs fair on 23 March and will be promoting a variety of available roles including front of house, chefs, baristas, floor bar staff and event staff.

The Clifton bed and breakfast, on Ocean Road in South Shields, is one of the businesses exhibiting and owners Liz and Scott Carlucci are hoping to recruit a cook to join their kitchen team.

Liz said: "Fortunately we have a great team at the moment but we want to take on another member of staff to ease the pressure on our existing cooks.

"This is a tough industry and Covid has made some things even more difficult, such as staff turnover.

"The academy is a great idea as it prepares candidates for what to expect. At the jobs fair we're hoping to find someone who is flexible and hard working and who we know would fit into our team."

South Tyneside Works will also deliver four hospitality awareness sessions in week commencing 20 March for residents who have some experience in the sector and are looking for new opportunities.

People can turn up to the jobs fair on the day or in advance by visiting: