The catering and hospitality industry includes a wide range of establishments such as hotels, hostels, restaurants, cafes, pubs and contract catering. The profession currently employs 2.5 million people in the UK.

There are a large number of small companies. 75% of employees work for a company employing less than 50 people. Working for a small company offers experience in a wide range of areas.

There is enormous scope for movement between the industry's many and varied sectors. Many people work part-time, especially bar and waiting staff.

The catering and hospitality sector has a large proportion of people aged 25 and under compared to the average across all sectors, and a high turnover of staff, which creates good opportunities for those wanting to start work in this industry.

There is a shortage of staff with managerial and supervisory skills and qualifications.

Skills shortages exist for chefs/cooks. Also for managers with a range of skills including people management, problem solving, commercial skills and business sense. Hospitality and Tourism has been identified by ‘West at Work’ as a local area of growth where specific skills are, or will be, in demand.

ICT skills are important in the industry, particularly in hotels where many are now developing e-marketing strategies both to develop new business and to retain repeat customers.

New qualifications, called Diplomas, are being introduced in the next three years. These will help people prepare for university, college or work. There will be a Diploma in Hospitality and Catering. Look out to see whether it’s on offer in your area from September 2009.

In 2007 a total of 1,157 Year 11 school leavers from local schools entered full-time employment or work-based learning. Of this number, 78 went into catering and hospitality related work.