Graduates state hospitality is best industry for career progression

The report, which asked 4,000 graduates in their first three years of employment to score their company on areas such as training, career progression, work-life balance and benefits, found that those working within the hospitality, leisure and tourism sectors in the UK were the most satisfied with the way they had progressed so far through their company. 

Three hospitality companies  – Radisson Blu Edwardian, Mitchells & Butlers and InterContinental Hotel Group – made TheJobCrowd’s Top 100 Companies for Graduates to Work For, while another three – Carluccio’s, Whitbread and Firmdale Hotels – were in the Top 25 Smaller Graduate Employers list.  

At number six on the top 25 smaller graduate employers list, Carluccio’s came top for career progression in hospitality, which Marcus Weedon, senior recruitment manager, said the company was delighted with. 

"We are very proud of what we do here at Carluccio’s," he said. "What you can see from the feedback our previous graduates have given, is that the restaurant, hospitality and catering industry can be very exciting and attractive, particularly if you are given the right training and mentoring.

"Going forward, we’ll continue to offer these great opportunities to those graduates who are passionate about a future within an industry where it is all about the customer, the service and the food.”

Progression​

TheJobCrowd co-founder Keren Mitchell said the industry should be commended for offering such high levels of career progression to graduates. 

“The industry was the highest rated when it came to career progression which shows that graduates really value their skills and potential being recognised.

"We know from past research that new graduates view career progression levels as being the single most important factor in a new job so it is great that the hospitality, leisure and tourism industry is delivering on this, and it is also no surprise that the sector was also rated second overall in our latest Top 100 Companies for Graduates to Work For."

Co-founder Natasha Freeman, said she hoped the information would encourage more graduates to consider a career in hospitality, tourism and leisure. 

"All of this data was collected anonymously from graduate-level employees at the companies in question so respondents gave true assessments of their employer and their role.

"Our survey showed us that graduates in hospitality, leisure and tourism are really happy, particularly with their career progression levels, so I would certainly recommend to new graduates that they strongly consider a career in this industry."