SUPPORT is being offered to Coventry’s leisure, tourism, hospitality and events businesses to help with the skills and recruitment crisis.
The region’s Chamber of Commerce is working with Coventry City Council and Destination Coventry to help companies – more staff are needed in the sector after so many left during the pandemic and the issue has become a barrier to growth.
A breakfast summit will be held on December 1 where a panel of experts will be offering their take on the crisis and solutions to it.
Throughout this month, the chamber will be discussing issues businesses are facing and will offer one-to-one help.
Business consultant Chris Hartley, who has been working with businesses in the sector on overcoming Covid in recent months, will be running an online workshop to give firms the chance to speak to experts.
Corin Crane, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “The region’s hospitality and tourism sector has never had so much attention – from the Commonwealth Games to the City of Culture, people across the UK and abroad are looking at Coventry as a place they want to visit and explore.
“The city is buzzing with residents, students, tourists and employees from our very smart businesses.
“However, the hard-to-fill vacancies across the sector are hitting critical levels.
“Opening hours are being reduced, bookings are being turned down and experienced workers have not returned after Covid lockdowns.
“We need a fresh approach to this issue – raising the profile of the sector with young people, supporting businesses to take flexible approaches to recruitment and shift patterns and bringing older workers back into the industry and engaging in this vibrant and exciting sector.”
Visit cw-chamber.co.uk/business-support/crf-tlh/ for more information.
