Hospitality and Events Management

This sector deals with providing accommodation, food and drink to the public as well as organising and overseeing events such as conferences, workshops and meetings.

Types of roles available in this sector include:

• Opportunities in restaurants include management and chef work.
• Opportunities for business managers, finance managers and operational staff exist within larger restaurant chains.
• Pubs, bars and clubs offer opportunities in licensed retailing, management, promotions and event management.
• Hotels offer management, event organisation, restaurant and bar work and a whole range of operational roles, including finance, human resources and marketing.
• Contract catering involves providing professional food services such as hospitals, schools, entertainment venues or large public sector organisations.
• There are also opportunities for events managers who are independent of hotels and venues.

Check out the professional bodies’ own entries in the Profession Finder

There are a number of professional bodies covering these sectors.  Here you will find information on:

• Jobs and salaries
• Routes and Qualifications
• Funding

Jobs and Salaries

Jobs in hospitality and events are very varied and include sectors such as innkeeping, catering, private events organisation, corporate events management, and others.

Read more about the different areas within events at the AEO (Association of Events Organisers Ltd.), the AEV (Association of Event Venues) and the ESSA (Event Supplier and Services Association).

Routes and Qualifications

Hospitality

It is not essential to have a qualification to enter the hospitality industry, but there are courses and training options for those looking to develop their career. 

The Institute of Hospitality also offers careers guidance for its members.

There are also courses and qualifications in areas such as Beer and Cellar Quality, Customer and Drinks service and Responsible Alcohol Retailing.

Events

The events industry is extremely competitive.  It is often the case that unpaid internships are a good way in and provide essential experience, but there is no guarantee of a job at the end of it. For a greater chance of kick-starting your career, entry into the ABPCO (The Association of British Professional Conference Organisers) and other professional bodies can provide opportunities for networking.

Where can I work?

• London and Southeast England have the largest proportion of hotels, bars and restaurants, although vacancies exist across the UK.
• Skills gained in this sector are often transferable worldwide.

What do employers look for?

• Some jobs don’t require specific qualifications however direct entry into management often require higher education qualifications.
• Relevant work experience is often useful to add value to applications.
• People and interpersonal skills are also often essential, as is cultural sensitivity.
• Business awareness is often also valuable.
• Many of the larger companies also run graduate schemes for those with the relevant qualifications.