The catering and hospitality industry is one of the most prominent employment fields for recruitment agencies in the UK. There are more than 200,000 catering jobs alone and common places of work include restaurants, hotels and even hospitals. This sector plays host to a diverse range of career opportunities where hospitality recruiters work closely with clients to source staff ranging from kitchen assistant and bar staff to executive chefs and hotel managers.

With close links to tourism, this industry thrives in Britain's numerous resorts, as well as larger cities such as Manchester, Edinburgh and London. Agency Central offers a full range of recruitment agencies in these areas, covering any job role you might require.

Catering and hospitality industry description

Careers in hospitality are typically concerned with accommodation or the provision of food and drink. The industry is renowned for its fast paced environment and many vacancies can be found within customer facing positions. Some of the most common opportunities which are available include kitchen support and waiting / caterer staff. However, these recruitment agencies will also work hard to fill senior and executive management roles that exist within the hospitality and catering industry.

Due to the nature of the catering industry, tourism and seasonality play a large part on employment trends where a peak in temporary work can be expected during the holiday periods. Summer and Christmas result in a rise in the number of student and graduate jobs advertised, with catering agencies aiming to fill a wide range of apprenticeship roles.

Salaries and entry requirements

Candidates searching for hospitality jobs will witness a wide range of advertised salaries, however average earnings tend to be around £20K per annum depending on the position or location of the job. Professionals can earn in excess of £40K, although these are usually senior London based positions for multinational or acclaimed establishments. Temp jobs in catering are typically paid by the hour and this can vary massively from £5-£12.

Although the industry isn't qualification led, some roles will need specific learning related to their duties. A chef job for instance, may require candidates with an NVQ or BTEC in cookery or a Diploma in Professional Cookery, while some employers may also look for food hygiene or health & safety certificates. Conversely, an employer that is recruiting for a catering manager may look for previous experience within a service job as well as accreditations relating to hospitality, leisure or travel and tourism. Regardless of training, hospitality careers require strong customer service and communication skills.

Are you looking for a job or trying to fill a vacancy? Use the search box to find relevant catering & hospitality staffing recruitment agencies in your area.