A leading North West restaurant entrepreneur says the hospitality industry is still struggling to recruit after the pandemic - and is urging young people to consider a career in the sector.
Candice Fonseca opened the award-winning Delifonseca Dockside restaurant in Liverpool in 2010. She led the company through the pandemic by switching to offering deliveries and online shopping.
Now the world has reopened she - but she says it has never been more difficult to recruit new staff.
Her words mirror those of speakers at trade body UK Hospitality's Workforce Strategy launch panel, which took place today. In a tweet this morning, UK Hospitality said: "Hospitality vacancies are now double the level seen pre-pandemic – 170,000 unfilled roles. Industry and Government need to act to ensure our sector can thrive."
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Ms Fonseca said: “Liverpool’s hospitality businesses were hit hard during the pandemic and we’re still feeling the effects of it on a daily basis. Although things now feel less restricted, restaurants and bars like ours are facing the next big hurdle as we try and recruit.
"Even though we retained most of our workforce, some decided it was time to rethink their career futures and either retrain or join other industries.”
She added: “I’m not saying that hospitality is for everyone, but the industry has a lot going for it. Some will find their career for life, and some won’t, however they will all have an insightful outlook on the industry and important credentials that will stay with them for the long run.
"Throughout life, from my experience, confidence is key and it’s these transferable and adaptable skills that our younger generation need. Let’s push our youth to gain these fundamental abilities and have an enjoyable time whilst they do so.”
Since fully reopening after the pandemic, Delfonseca has employed young people both through the Government Kickstarter scheme and directly in roles including front of house, barista and chef.
Ms Fonseca said: "I just think that children are rarely encouraged to pursue a career in our industry. It can be one of the most rewarding and entertaining careers out there. Each day is different, meeting new people every day, delivering and sharing in essentially pleasurable interactions; it really can be a true vocation for individuals that have a passion for food and drink and are social beings.
“And for everyone else, it is still worth doing as you work towards a different goal or vocation. So much so that I think parents should be insisting their kids get a part-time hospitality job to get them into the concept of work.
"The list of skills that accompany hospitality work is infinite, like multi-tasking, customer service etiquette, leadership, and teamwork. You are challenging yourself constantly every day, and you build up crucial problem-solving skills. Not only that you learn how to deal with people from all walks of life and how to sell both products and you. That confidence is a real life-skill and will help them come up trumps in interviews and other work environments.
“Confidence and social skills seem to be what young people today are lacking as they have been cooped up staring at screens due to the pandemic. With the talent pool going dry, I think this is the perfect opportunity to empower the young people in our city and get them in the business when we need them the most.”
