The hospitality industry is experiencing a surge in interest from people over 50 looking for employment opportunities, according to new data from Springboard - a charity futureproofing the hospitality talent pipeline.

The charity, which provides hospitality training programmes to the unemployed, has reported an increase in job centre referrals, with 53% of those aged 50+ taking up training and almost a third (3 in 10) securing a position at a UK hospitality venue.

The surge has been particularly noticeable in Scotland where an over-50s job fair in Glasgow saw visitation increase seven-fold compared to last year's event, with many attendees expressing a keen interest in roles within the hospitality industry.

Similarly, a job fair held in Edinburgh also witnessed double the number of attendees compared to the previous year, with many expressing interest in working in hotels, restaurants, and other hospitality-related businesses.

Hospitality proves to be a particularly attractive sector for the over 50s, with the number of people seeking hospitality training at this age more than doubling in the past year. The reasons behind this increase in interest from older workers may vary. Some may have been made redundant due to the pandemic and are now seeking new opportunities, while others may simply be looking for a change in career direction.

Additionally, the hospitality industry has faced significant staff shortages in recent years, making it an attractive option for those seeking employment.

The findings come as the Chancellor set out his “Back to Work” Spring Budget, renewing the government's focus on the economically inactive and finding jobs to suit all lifestyles.

The charity reports an increasing number of people citing poor mental health as a barrier to employment compared to 2022.

The data captured over a year shows that mental health wasn’t a barrier in 2021-2022, but it now plays a more significant role in the older generations. ‘Lack of motivation’ dropped out of the top five – highlighting the potential squeeze on household incomes and people’s keenness to re-enter the workforce.

(source: https://springboard.uk.net/, image: pexels)