Hospitality partnership targets 100,000 jobs for young people

Industry news · Checked 17 October 2026

A partnership between the Government and UKHospitality is targeting 100,000 paid jobs for young people, alongside work experience and training opportunities.

Announced on 15 October, the initiative focuses on 18–24-year-olds who are not in education, employment or training. Participating employers include Whitbread, Nando’s, McDonald’s, Marriott and Compass. The Department for Work and Pensions describes a commitment to paid jobs over three years. Government announcement.

What has been announced?

UKHospitality says the partnership includes expanded access to its Hospitality Skills Passport and is open to more businesses joining. Interested members are encouraged to contact the trade body. This does not establish that every independent venue is automatically eligible for support. UKHospitality announcement.

What remains unclear?

The headline is a target, not evidence that 100,000 additional jobs have already been created. A parliamentary question asks how the opportunities divide between new paid jobs, existing vacancies, work experience and training. As checked on 17 October, it was awaiting an answer. Parliamentary question.

KitchenLynx’s view

This is worth watching for catering businesses planning recruitment and training. Practical information about participation and delivery will matter more to individual operators than the headline number alone.