Page 65 - Regional Employment & Skills Plan

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creative environment where many life skills are learnt to benefit any future career. It is an honour to work in the industry and have the opportunity to make a difference to visitors’ enjoyment and their experience of our country. Teachers, lecturers and career advisers are ignorant of the opportunities that are available to people in the Tourism and Hospitality Industries. Instead of focusing on all to achieve jobs in other sectors, our industries should be positively highlighted and promoted to young people.’
The sector is highly dependent on seasonality and the willingness of people to travel, a challenging economic climate exacerbates this issue. This places additional pressure on businesses to offer a service at a fair cost whilst continuing to make a profit. In conjunction with this some businesses reported that marketing was a challenge for them with its effectiveness being the key to promoting their business and the services they provide.
‘Marketing and raising brand awareness. Not many people know about the service I provide and spreading the word is really a big challenge.’
Declining visitor numbers and consumer demand was most commonly reported as a key driver of change and demand for businesses. This is highly affected by external factors such as a strong internet connection and fit for purpose transportation infrastructure. A business in Mid Wales reported that;
‘Poor road connections and limited public transport. Mobile phone signals across region varies considerably impacting negatively on visitor's ability to find and engage will local providers. Complete lack of cohesive communications provision for modern consumer. Poor road connections and limited public transport.’
Other external factors having detrimental effects on these businesses are influences such as increasing costs such as VAT and business rates. This intensifies the pressure to offer a service that meets consumer demand whilst returning a reasonable profit.
Uncertainty surrounding Brexit is also a significant concern for many.
Difficult Roles to Recruit
The majority of the employers engaged with reported having experienced difficulty in recruiting for specific roles. Those roles are identified below;
Micro/Small
Chefs
Managers Administrative staff Watersport Instructors Catering, Housekeeping, Pool Side Cleaning staff/Housekeepers Food & Beverage
Front of House staff Receptionists Maintenance
Medium
Management Roles
Hospitality Roles
Chefs
Large
Front of House staff
Regional Employment & Skills Plan South West & Mid Wales Sector Profiles