Less than a quarter (22%) of 16 to 21 year olds say they would consider a career in Hospitality, one in three respondents believed it wasn’t a career you’d enter into after obtaining a degree and over 40% admitted their perceptions were influenced by the attitudes of their parents.

New research has revealed that less than a quarter of young Brits would consider a career in hospitality, with almost one in three (26%) admitting they didn’t see it as an industry to work in after obtaining a degree.

The survey of 1,000 Brits aged 16 to 21, conducted by IHG® (InterContinental Hotels Group), found that young people were unaware of the full range of roles available in hospitality, even though flexible working hours (40%), career progression (36%) and the ability to travel (29%) rated as important factors in their ideal job – all of which are key features of a career in hospitality.

One in five respondents (19%) admitted they weren’t aware a career in hospitality could lead to roles that span design, engineering, finance, HR, law and marketing and more than a quarter (26%) thought working in a hotel mainly entailed dealing with a difficult guest.

The results also highlighted that young people were highly influenced by their parents, with 42% admitting their job choices reflected their parent’s perceptions of certain industries.

The research coincides with the launch of IHG’s National Hotel Takeover, whereby 1,000 hospitality students will assist in the running of 30 hotels across the country. Almost all the students participating are involved in IHG Academy programme, where IHG hotels collaborate with educational providers and community groups to help local people build their hospitality skills and improve their employability.

Elaine Grell, Vice President of Human Resources, Europe and Global Functions at IHG said; “These results highlight just how important it is that young people get real life, on-the-job experience so they can fully understand how varied and exciting a career in hospitality can be. A hotel is a complex business with responsibility for a large team and big budgets. Yet a lot of people make assumptions based on what they may see as they only see from a guest’s perspective. Initiatives such as the National Hotel Takeover are so important in giving young people a behind the scenes look at what’s involved in a business where the doors are open 24/7, 365 days a year. It’s also a great industry for career progression – our Global CEO Keith Barr started in a restaurant kitchen!”James Ashall, Programme Director, Movement to Work said: “Today’s research from IHG highlights the gap that needs to be bridged by employers to reduce youth unemployment. There is more we should be doing to highlight the array of jobs available and the progress from those jobs into fulfilling careers. There are too many young people who fall into the seemingly endless circle of ‘no experience no job; no job no experience’, for a multitude of reasons, as employers through work placements we can provide the opportunities to help them gain confidence, break this cycle and fulfil their potential.”

The National Hotel Takeover aims to give students practical, on-the-job insight into the industry. The students will take on roles including General Manager and Head of various Departments, including Head Chef. Running for 18 years, the Hotel Takeover has grown to become a key moment for IHG properties in the UK, providing valuable on the job training for the next generation of hoteliers.