Job market information
Finding out about food and service management
The food and service management industry (sometimes known as contract catering) is represented by People 1st, the Sector Skills Council for hospitality, passenger transport, travel and tourism. The hospitality, travel and tourism sector incorporates the following industries: contract food service providers, events, gambling, holiday parks, hospitality services, hostels, hotels, membership clubs, pubs, bars and nightclubs, restaurants, self-catering accommodation, tourist services, and visitor attractions. The sector accounts for a workforce of 2.1 million, most of which are based within the restaurants, hospitality services, and pubs, bars and nightclubs industries. The roles within the sector are extremely diverse and include managers, technical staff, front-of-house staff, back-of-house staff, and non-core staff.
Where services are outsourced to an external provider this is known as ‘food service and management’ provision. Food and service management providers support a number of wider industries ranging from traditional hospitality based industries (such as hotels and restaurants), to other areas (such as education and oil‐rigs). The industry provides food and drink services, housekeeping services, linen and security
Key facts:
- There are 185,800 people working in the food and service management industry.
- 17% of the workforce has an NVQ Level 4 or above qualification.
- The majority of the workforce has a NVQ Level 2 qualification (31%).
- 8% of the workforce has no qualifications.
- The industry employs a large number of migrant workers.
- 55% of the workforce is employed full‐time.
[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey, 2009.]
Jobs in the industry range from: kitchen assistant, chef, bar person, waiting staff, assistant bar manager, general manager, assistant head housekeeper, housekeeper, cleaner, conference and banqueting manager, crew member, floor manager, porter, receptionist.
Entry and progression
For most entry level jobs, there are no specific academic requirements, but a willingness to work hard, a good attitude, good communication and team working skills can be an advantage. For public facing roles, employers may prefer candidates who have previous experience of working in a customer service environment and show good people skills, as well as an appreciation of the importance of customer service.
The industry offers many opportunities to work on a part‐time basis, so it can appeal to women returning to work after bringing up children or people who have other commitments which prevent them from taking on a full‐time position.
There are opportunities for progression in the industry, but previous managerial experience is an advantage. It is fairly common for people to move between certain areas of work in the industry.
There is a range of industry endorsed courses (at foundation and undergraduate level), apprenticeships, vocational qualifications, training schemes and Diplomas available.
For job specific entry requirements, take a look at our job profiles.
Workforce statistics
| Number of UK employees: |
185,800 |
|---|
| Number of UK employers: |
25,500 |
|---|
| Gender: |
34% male |
66% female |
|---|
| Number of UK employers: |
90% of the workforce is white and 10% is from black and ethnic minority groups. |
|---|
| Age: |
6% of the workforce is aged 16‐19 years. |
|---|
| 18% is 20‐29 years. |
| 22% is 30‐39 years. |
| 27% is 40‐49 years. |
| 28% is 50 years and older. |
[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey, 2009.]
Employment trends and future prospects
[N.B. Data presented are for the whole hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism sector.]
The following table shows the numbers working across the whole hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism sector and forecasted numbers for 2017. There will also be high demand for new workers to replace those people who have either changed jobs or left the industry altogether.
| 2007 |
2012 |
2017 |
2008 - 2017 |
| Managers and senior officials including: hotel and accommodation managers, restaurant and catering managers, publicans and managers of licensed premises |
590,900 |
617,900 |
659,500 |
+12% |
|---|
| Skilled trades including: chefs/cooks |
213,700 |
209,300 |
193,800 |
‐9% |
|---|
| Elementary including: kitchen and catering assistants, waiting staff, bar staff |
768,900 |
821,800 |
853,600 |
+11% |
|---|
[N.B. Data from Warwick Institute for Employment Research, Working Futures, 2007‐2017.]
Skill requirements and shortages
[N.B. Data presented are for the whole hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism sector.]
The five most common skill requirements are: technical, practical or job‐specific skills; customer handling skills; team working skills; oral communication skills; and problem solving skills.
Occupational trends
[N.B. Data presented are for the whole hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism sector.]
There are a number of ‘core’ occupations commonly found in hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism sector. The following table lists the numbers working in these occupations across the whole sector.
| Hotel and accommodation managers |
57,700 |
|---|
| Conference and exhibition managers |
23,700 |
|---|
| Restaurant and catering managers |
148,200 |
|---|
| Publicans and managers of licensed premises |
46,900 |
|---|
| Chefs and cooks |
255,100 |
|---|
| Kitchen and catering assistants |
394,600 |
|---|
| Waiting staff |
222,200 |
|---|
| Bar staff |
197,800 |
|---|
| Leisure and theme park attendants |
21,100 |
|---|
[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey, 2009.]
National and regional data
East Midlands – There are approximately 10,800 people working in the food and service management industry in this region, of which:
- 63% of the workforce is female
- 91% of the workforce is white
- 24% of the workforce is 35‐39 years
- 54% work full‐time
- 31% of the workforce has an NVQ level 2 qualification
East of England – There are approximately 18,500 people working in the food and service management industry in this region, of which:
- 60% of the workforce is female
- 89% of the workforce is white
- 14% of the workforce is 25‐29 years
- 55% work full‐time
- 32% of the workforce has an NVQ level 2 qualification
London – There are approximately 28,900 people working in the food and service management industry in this region, of which:
- Workforce is evenly split between men and women
- 62% of the workforce is white
- 18% of the workforce is 30‐34 years and 18% is 35‐39 years
- 61% work full‐time
- 28% of the workforce has an NVQ level 2 qualification
North East – There are approximately 6,600 people working in the food and service management industry in this region, of which:
- 81% of the workforce is female
- 23% of the workforce is 40‐44 years
- 44% work full‐time
- 32% of the workforce has an NVQ level 2 qualification
North West – There are approximately 20,200 people working in the food and service management industry in this region, of which:
- 67% of the workforce is female
- 97% of the workforce is white
- 25% of the workforce is 50‐54 years
- 51% work full‐time
- 26% of the workforce has an NVQ level 2 qualification
South East – There are approximately 29,500 people working in the food and service management industry in this region, of which:
- 69% of the workforce is female
- 93% of the workforce is white
- 19% of the workforce is 40‐44 years
- 54% work full‐time
- 32% of the workforce has an NVQ level 2 qualification
South West – There are approximately 16,300 people working in the food and service management industry in this region, of which:
- 68% of the workforce is female
- 19% of the workforce is 55‐54 years
- 59% work full‐time
- 40% of the workforce has an NVQ level 1 and entry level qualification
West Midlands – There are approximately 14,700 people working in the food and service management industry in this region, of which:
- 84% of the workforce is female
- 90% of the workforce is white
- 24% of the workforce is 45‐49 years
- 54% work full‐time
- 32% of the workforce has an NVQ level 2 qualification
Yorkshire and the Humber – There are approximately 11,300 people working in the food and service management industry in this region, of which:
- 69% of the workforce is female
- 97% of the workforce is white
- 18% of the workforce is 45‐49 years
- 55% work full‐time
- 38% of the workforce has an NVQ level 2 qualification
Northern Ireland – There are approximately 43,900 people working in the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism sector as whole in Northern Ireland, of which 5,500 work in the food and service management industry in 100 establishments. Details are as follows:
- 86% of the workforce is female
- 25% of the workforce is 40‐44
- 55% work full‐time
- 43% of the workforce has an NVQ level 1 qualification
Scotland – There are approximately 183,500 people working in the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism sector as whole in Scotland, of which 16,200 work in the food and service management industry in 2,100 establishments. Details are as follows:
- 60% of the workforce is female
- 97% of the workforce is white
- 17% of the workforce is 35‐39 and 17% is 60‐64
- 55% work full‐time
- 31% of the workforce has an NVQ level 2 qualification
Wales – There are approximately 86,100 people working in the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism sector as whole in Wales, of which 7,200 work in the food and service management industry in 800 establishments. Details are as follows:
- 60% of the workforce is female
- 100% of the workforce is white
- 44% of the workforce is 40‐44
- 61% work full‐time
- 57% of the workforce has an NVQ level 2 qualification
[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey, 2009.]
Salary levels
Pay scales in this industry are variable, so the following only provides an indication of the average annual pay of the current workforce:
- Bar Person £11,000 ‐ £20,000, Assistant Bar Manager £16,000 ‐ £21,000
- Assistant General Manager £21,000 ‐ £35,000
- Cleaner £11,000 ‐ £14,000
- Assistant Head Housekeeper £16,000 ‐ £25,000
- Waiter/Waitress £12,000 ‐ £16,000
- Assistant Restaurant Manager £16,000 ‐ £21,000
- Chef £15,000 ‐ £20,000, Senior/Sous Chef £17,000 ‐ £28,000
- Conference and Banqueting Manager £22,000 ‐ £25,000
- Receptionist £12,000 ‐ £18,000, Front Office Manager £22,000 ‐ £28,000
- Porter £11,000 ‐ £15,000
Career paths
Further sources
Produced Sept 2010, using People 1st AACS LMI report (Jun 2010)
