Job market information
Finding out about self-catering accommodation, holiday centres and youth hostels
The self‐catering accommodation, holiday centres and youth hostels industry 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.
The self‐catering accommodation, holiday centres and youth hostels industry can be divided into:
- Holiday centres – these are generally large, purpose built sites consisting of accommodation units (lodges, chalets and apartments) and a wide range of facilities and activities. Most have on‐site restaurants, bars, sports facilities and evening entertainment. Examples include Centre Parcs and Butlins.
- Self‐catering accommodation – this is large and diverse covering the renting of self‐catering accommodation, such as cottages, apartments, villas or houses
- Youth hostel accommodation – this offers unique, low cost accommodation with nearly all facilities shared with other guests.
Key facts:
- There are 60,000 people working in the industry.
- The majority of the workforce has a NVQ Level 4 qualification (24%).
- 11% of the workforce has no qualifications.
- 54% of the workforce is employed full‐time.
- The industry has a large number of migrant workers.
[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey, 2009.]
Jobs in the industry range from: entertainments and leisure manager, front office manager, general manager, kitchen assistants, bar manager, chef, cleaner, waiter/waitress, food and beverage manager, restaurant manager, bar manager, general manager, head housekeeper, chef, cleaner, front of house staff, porter, receptionist, waiter/waitress, room attendant, assistant hostel manager, hostel manager, catering assistant, cleaner.
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.
There are opportunities for progression in the industry for those willing to take on more responsibility. Previous managerial experience can be 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, apprenticeships, vocational qualifications, and training schemes available.
For job specific entry requirements, take a look at our job profiles.
Workforce statistics
| Number of UK employees: |
60,000 |
|---|
| Number of UK employers: |
3,500 (includes self‐catering accommodation, holiday parks and youth hostels) |
|---|
| Gender: |
29% male |
71% female |
|---|
| Ethnicity: |
97% of the workforce is white and 3% is from black and ethnic minority groups |
|---|
| Age: |
4% of the workforce is aged 16‐19 years |
|---|
| 16% is 20‐29 years |
| 15% is 30‐39 years |
| 23% is 40‐49 years |
| 43% 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 |
2007‐2017 |
|---|
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 trade occupations
Including:
Chefs/cooks |
213,700 |
209,300 |
193,800 |
‐9% |
Elementary occupations
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, and the 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 4,200 people working in the industry in this region, of which:
- 60% work full‐time
- 86% of the workforce is female
- 19% of the workforce is 20‐24 years
- 31% of the workforce has an NVQ level 1 and entry level qualification
East of England – There are approximately 5,700 people working in the industry in this region, of which:
- 76% work full‐time
- 53% of the workforce is female
- 23% of the workforce is 50‐54 years
- 25% of the workforce has an NVQ level 1 and entry qualification
London – There are approximately 1,500 people working in the industry in this region, of which:
- 68% work full‐time
- 85% of the workforce is female
- 87% of the workforce is white
- 40% of the workforce is 20‐24 years
- 40% of the workforce has an NVQ level 3 qualification
North East – There are very few people working in the industry in this region.
North West – There are approximately 7,600 people working in the industry in this region, of which:
- 81% work full‐time
- 58% of the workforce is female
- 29% of the workforce is 2529 years
- 39% of the workforce has an NVQ level 4 or above qualification
South East – There are approximately 4,200 people working in the industry in this region, of which:
- 75% work full‐time
- 71% of the workforce is female
- 24% of the workforce is 30‐34 years
- 29% of the workforce has an NVQ level 1 and entry level qualification
South West – There are approximately 16,600 people working in the industry in this region, of which:
- 55% work full‐time
- 71% of the workforce is female
- 15% of the workforce is 40‐44 years
- 27% of the workforce has an NVQ level 3 qualification
West Midlands – There are approximately 2,800 people working in the industry in this region, of which:
- 54% work full‐time
- 87% of the workforce is female
- 29% of the workforce is 45‐49 years
- 36% of the workforce has an NVQ level 2 qualification
Yorkshire and the Humber – There are approximately 4,800 people working in the industry in this region, of which:
- 57% work full‐time
- 78% of the workforce is female
Northern Ireland – There are approximately 43,900 people working in the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism sector as whole in Northern Ireland. There are 100 establishments in the self‐catering accommodation, holiday centres and youth hostels industries. Details as follows:
- 4% of the workforce is full‐time
- 78% of the workforce is female
Scotland – There are approximately 183,500 people working in the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism sector as whole in Scotland, of which 8,900 work in self‐catering accommodation, holiday centres and youth hostels in 500 establishments. Details as follows:
- 54% of the workforce is full‐time
- 76% of the workforce is female
Wales – There are approximately 86,100 people working in the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism sector as whole in Wales, of which 1,800 work in the self‐catering accommodation, holiday centres and youth hostels in 300 establishments. Details as follows:
- 38% of the workforce is full‐time
- 79% of the workforce is female
[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:
- Assistant General Manager/Deputy Manager £21,000 ‐ £35,000
- Housekeeping Supervisor £13,000 ‐ £17,000, Assistant Head Housekeeper £16,000 ‐ £25,000, Head Housekeeper £16,000 ‐ £27,000
- Assistant Hostel Manager/Hostel Supervisor/Deputy Hostel Manager £16,000 ‐ £24,000
- Receptionist £12,000 ‐ £18,000, Head Receptionist £20,000 ‐ £24,000
- Room Attendant £11,000 or more
- Entertainments and Leisure Supervisor/Entertainment Team Leader £26,000 ‐ £34,000, Entertainments and Leisure Manager £24,000 ‐ £30,000
- Blue Coat, Red Coat, Guest Services Assistant £12,000 ‐ £18,000
- Catering Assistant/ Hostel Assistant £11,000 ‐ £14,000
- Hostel Manager £18,000 ‐ £30,000
- Greeter/Reservationist £12,000 ‐ £18,000
Career paths
Further sources
Produced Sept 2010, using People 1st AACS LMI report (Jun 2010)
