The hospitality sector has a vital role to play in addressing one of the UK's most pressing challenges: supporting more young people aged 16–25 into meaningful education, training and employment.
With the Government placing increasing focus on reducing the number of young people classified as NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training), alongside the recommendations emerging from the Alan Milburn review into youth employment and opportunity, there has never been a more important time for employers, educators and industry leaders to come together and shape practical solutions.
At Umbrella Training, we are committed to supporting skills development and creating opportunities for people to build rewarding careers. That's why we're bringing together employers, sector stakeholders and workforce development experts for an exclusive Hospitality Round Table discussion, exploring how our industry can become a key part of the solution.
Event details
Date: Thursday 26 November 2026
Time: 10:00am–1:00pm
Location: Blue Fin Building, 110 Southwark Street, London, SE1 0TA
Kindly hosted by: Caterer.com
What we'll discuss
Together, we'll explore the current youth employment landscape and how the hospitality sector can help more young people access meaningful opportunities.
Topics will include:
The challenges facing 16–25-year-olds in education, training and employment.
Government priorities around reducing NEET numbers.
Key findings and implications from the Alan Milburn review.
Barriers preventing young people from entering and progressing within hospitality.
How employers can create accessible pathways into sustainable careers.
The role of Foundation Apprenticeships and Apprenticeships in supporting social mobility, skills development and workforce growth.
Practical actions our sector can take collectively to attract, develop and retain more young talent.
From Round Table to Purple Paper
The insights and recommendations generated during the discussion will form the basis of a Purple Paper, a sector-led position paper capturing the collective views of hospitality employers and partners.
The document will outline:
Key challenges and opportunities.
Industry recommendations.
Examples of best practice.
Actions employers, educators and policymakers can take to improve outcomes for young people.
Our ambition is to make a meaningful contribution to the national conversation on youth employment and demonstrate how hospitality can help unlock opportunities for the next generation.
Why attend?
The Hospitality Round Table is an opportunity to share experiences, exchange ideas and help shape the future of youth employment within our sector.
By attending, you'll be able to:
Share your experiences and perspectives.
Influence sector thinking and recommendations.
Network with industry peers and leaders.
Help shape practical solutions that benefit young people and hospitality businesses alike.
Contribute to a piece of thought leadership championing hospitality as a driver of social mobility and economic growth.
Addressing youth employment requires a collective effort. By bringing together the people and organisations best placed to make a difference, we can help identify practical ways to open doors for young people while building a stronger, more sustainable hospitality workforce.
Register your interest
Places are limited to ensure a focused and meaningful discussion.
If you'd like to attend and contribute to this important conversation, please confirm your attendance using the link below.
