Key Points
- Major hotels in the UK have pledged to create 100,000 paid jobs for young people in the age group of 18 to 24 who are not in education, employment or training (NEET).
- This program has been jointly initiated by the UKHospitality and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The program was officially launched on 15 October 2026.
- Companies participating in this program include Whitbread, McDonald’s, Nando’s, Marriott, Compass, Burger King, Parkdean Resorts, Haven, Fuller’s, Merlin Entertainments, Stonegate Group, Mitchells & Butlers, Wagamama, Sodexo, WSH Limited and De Vere.
- Those taking part in the program will be provided paid work, experience, training with placement reportedly up to four weeks.
- Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said the scheme would allow those unemployed youth to take “the first step on the ladder”.
- UKHospitality CEO Allen Simpson said that hospitality is “number one employer of young people in the economy”.
- The above announcement comes just after the government’s pledge last month to give 100,000 jobs to young people through leading retailers.
- The government also issued a call for evidence on school exclusion reforms based on evidence which shows that persistently absent pupils were 3.9 times more likely to be NEET.
Stockport (Manchester Mirror) October 15, 2026 — Britain’s leading hospitality businesses have committed to creating 100,000 paid job opportunities for young people not in education, employment or training, in a new partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions and UKHospitality.
According to the Department for Work and Pensions, the three-year programme will target 18 to 24-year-olds who are NEET and will combine paid employment with work experience and training. The Government said the initiative is intended to help participants gain skills, confidence and workplace experience.
The commitment covers businesses across hotels, restaurants, pubs, attractions and contract catering. The named employers include Whitbread, McDonald’s, Nando’s, Marriott, Compass, Burger King, Parkdean Resorts, Haven, Fuller’s, Merlin Entertainments, Stonegate Group, Mitchells & Butlers, Wagamama, Sodexo, WSH Limited and De Vere.
As reported by The Caterer, hospitality venues across the UK will offer up to 100,000 jobs to NEET young people over the next three years. The publication said participating businesses would work with the DWP to offer placements of up to four weeks.
Which Brands Are Involved?
The DWP identified 16 major hospitality employers in its announcement. They span several parts of the sector, from fast food and casual dining to hotels, pubs, holiday parks, visitor attractions and catering services.
| Employer | Sector |
|---|---|
| Whitbread | Hotels, including Premier Inn |
| McDonald’s | Fast food |
| Nando’s | Casual dining |
| Marriott | Hotels |
| Compass | Contract catering |
| Burger King | Fast food |
| Parkdean Resorts | Holiday parks |
| Haven | Holiday parks |
| Fuller’s | Pubs and hospitality |
| Merlin Entertainments | Visitor attractions |
| Stonegate Group | Pubs and bars |
| Mitchells & Butlers | Pubs and restaurants |
| Wagamama | Restaurants |
| Sodexo | Catering and facilities services |
| WSH Limited | Contract catering |
| De Vere | Hotels and venues |
What Will Young People Receive?
The Government said the programme will provide paid jobs as well as work experience and training opportunities.
As reported by The Caterer, placements will last up to four weeks and are designed to give young people “the skills and confidence needed to take their first step into work”.
The DWP said that, for some participants, a hospitality role could become the start of a long-term career, while for others it could help them build a CV, identify career interests and progress to a further opportunity.
The Government also said expanded support for the Hospitality Skills Passport will form a significant part of the partnership. The scheme is intended to provide young people with training, qualifications and employment pathways in the sector.
What Did Government Ministers Say?
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said hospitality had “long provided young people with a route into the world of work”.
“I’m delighted that the industry is helping unemployed young people get their first step on the ladder and build their careers,” Mr McFadden said in the Government announcement.
He added that the programme would “unlock 100,000 jobs” and connect young people with employers ready to recruit them.
Education Secretary Lucy Powell also announced a call for evidence on school exclusion reforms. She said absence and exclusion were “too often a path to disengagement” and increased the risk of young people becoming NEET.
“We want to ensure pupils who are suspended continue to learn, get the support they need, and have a clear route back into school,”
Ms Powell said.
What Did Hospitality Leaders Say?
Allen Simpson, chief executive of UKHospitality, said hospitality was the “number one employer of young people in the economy”.
“This announcement demonstrates the Government’s recognition of hospitality as a critical sector to solve the NEETs crisis,”
Mr Simpson said.
He welcomed the partnership’s target of 100,000 job opportunities for NEET young people and said the expansion of the Hospitality Skills Passport would be a “significant pillar” of the work.
Whitbread chief executive Dominic Paul said hospitality had “always played a vital role” in giving young people their first experience of work. He said Premier Inn hotels operated across the country and that many young people joined the business for their first job.
Stonegate Group chief executive David McDowall said the sector could give people an “all-important first opportunity” and help them build confidence and skills. He said he began his own career as a part-time member of bar staff at 18.
Sodexo UK and Ireland chief executive Jean Renton said the company was committed to creating “genuine opportunities” for young people who face barriers to entering work.
Haven chief executive Simon Palethorpe said hospitality was “uniquely placed” to offer employment opportunities in every postcode.
Merlin Entertainments chief executive Fiona Eastwood said the Hospitality Skills Passport provided a route for young people to gain the skills, training and qualifications needed to begin a career in the sector. She said Merlin would use the passport to create further training and employment pathways.
How Does It Relate to Wider Youth Employment Policy?
The announcement builds on a retail-sector commitment made last month, under which major retailers pledged 100,000 jobs for young people. That initiative was developed with support from former Marks & Spencer chief executive Marc Bolland.
Mr Bolland said he had worked on helping NEET young people into employment for more than 10 years as founder of Movement to Work. He said the retail and hospitality commitments showed what could be achieved when business and government worked together.
The Government said the hospitality pledge forms part of wider reforms to support young people into education, training and employment. These include the Youth Guarantee and Growth and Skills Levy, a Jobs Guarantee, additional work experience and training placements, and an expansion of Youth Hubs.
The Government said its Youth Matters programme will receive £450 million to create and improve youth spaces, increase access to youth workers and provide more face-to-face activities, including sport, music, volunteering and the arts. It also committed to recruiting 1,000 new youth workers from spring 2027.
What Is the Scale of Youth Inactivity?
The Government said almost one million young people are affected by youth inactivity. It added that nearly six in 10 young people who are NEET have never had a job.
The announcement followed Alan Milburn’s interim review into the root causes of youth inactivity. As reported by The Caterer, Mr Milburn’s earlier Young People and Work report warned that the country was “at risk of a lost generation” after finding that one in eight 16 to 24-year-olds were NEET.
The Caterer also reported that further recommendations on tackling youth unemployment were expected after the autumn Budget on 28 October.
Background of the Development
The hospitality sector has long been a major entry point into employment for young people because it offers roles in hotels, restaurants, pubs, bars, attractions and catering businesses across the country. UKHospitality has previously described the sector as one of the few able to create jobs “in every postcode”.
The new commitment follows a broader Government focus on reducing the number of young people who are not in education, employment or training. In August, UKHospitality responded to NEET figures by saying that government policy over the previous two years had contributed to the sector losing 100,000 jobs.
The latest announcement also follows the retail-sector pledge made last month and comes alongside wider measures on school attendance, exclusion, special educational needs and disabilities, mental health support and vocational education.
Prediction: What It Means for Young Jobseekers
For young people aged 18 to 24 who are currently NEET, the announcement could increase access to entry-level hospitality roles, short work placements and employer-led training. If the 100,000 target is delivered, it may provide a practical route into paid work for young people who have limited prior experience or qualifications.
The scheme may also make it easier for jobseekers to connect with national employers through Jobcentre services, local partnerships and hospitality businesses. The four-week placement model could be particularly relevant for those seeking an initial reference, workplace confidence and a first entry on their CV.
For hospitality employers, the pledge may help address recruitment needs while creating a pipeline of younger workers. However, the practical effect will depend on how placements are distributed across regions, how many lead to sustained employment, and whether businesses receive sufficient support to recruit and train participants.
