Now is the time to take action to attract and retain top talent across Middle East hospitality sector

• com’s Annual Industry Survey highlights the importance of securing new talent and employee retention across the hospitality recruitment community following Covid-19 pandemic
• Study reveals that 94 percent of hospitality workforce plan to continue to pursue a career in hospitality

Dubai, UAE : New, independent research conducted by CatererGlobal.com – the leading global hospitality job board – has revealed its 2021 insights into the hospitality sector. Surveying over 1,000 respondents globally, hospitality industry workers in the UAE made up 21 percent of respondents.

Launched during CatererGlobal’s Annual Insight Event, released today as a digital series, the findings focus on key themes currently affecting the hospitality industry, including the fight for talent, talent mobility, training and development, and increased digitisation in the recruitment process.

The digital sessions within the series include passionate discussions, driven by industry-leading panelists: Vaibhav Garg, Area Talent & Culture Manager, Accor Maldives; Peppy Dosanjh, Vice President of Talent Acquisition & Employer Brand for EMEA, Marriott International; and Gabrielle Mather, CEO and Founder, Restaurant Secrets Inc and Cornerstone 61.

CatererGlobal’s survey demonstrates the need for companies to handle their recruitment objectively, innovatively and transparently, to attract and retain talent while creating a positive and lasting impact on all hoping for a career in the hospitality industry.

The survey shows that improved salary and stronger benefits are two of the most important attributes to candidates when applying for a job within the hospitality industry, while half (50 percent) of those surveyed stated career progression as the main factor that attracts them most to a job role.

95 percent of respondents currently working in the UAE hospitality sector stated their plans to pursue a career in hospitality, however a high number of these respondents (80 percent) outlined they had been looking for a job within the hospitality sector over the past 12 months.

Commenting on the results, Jeremy Vercoe, Sales Manager, CatererGlobal.com, said: “The influences that made staffing challenging pre-Covid-19, as defined by the “war for talent”, have not disappeared just because there are more workers to choose from. The industry has to emphasise that jobs in the hospitality sector can readily become life-long careers. While that message may secure new candidates through the door, creating concrete career development and advancement opportunities is the only way to keep those candidates.”

Out of recruiters surveyed, 65 percent confirmed changes have been made to pay and benefits packages in order to attract more talent. A further 80 percent confirmed the recruitment process has changed since the Covid-19 pandemic with increased use of technology in the hiring process, adjustments to company’s talent management processes, and increased internal cross functional hiring. 67 percent of recruiters found video interviewing to be the most effective tool that they have utilised in the recruitment process since the pandemic.

Employers also stated their biggest employment challenge currently is reaching the right candidates, followed by retention, reduced budgets, and geographical hiring restrictions. Those surveyed also anticipate that these will continue to be the biggest challenges over the next year.

The majority of respondents hold a positive view when it comes to the use of technology and remote recruitment, with 40 percent stating that it’s made it easier to find the right role because it’s less time consuming. 11 percent state that they feel less nervous in virtual interview scenarios. Other positives include the ease of applying for roles abroad without having to be there in person. 78 percent of recruiters outlined that increased digitisation and remote recruitment continues to play a greater role in the end-to-end hiring process

Sharing further insight at CatererGlobal’s Annual Insight Event, Gabrielle Mather, CEO and Founder, Restaurant Secrets Inc and Cornerstone 61, commented: “Following the pandemic, it’s important for those recruiting in the hospitality space to have a set strategy in place to bring the right teams back in. We have learnt a lot from the pandemic and while this market has significantly stabilised, good candidates must be valued. It’s important we focus on bringing good talent back and offer a workplace with prosperity, career growth and attractive packages in order for employees to also grow financially.”

Training and development was addressed, both in the digital discussions and survey findings, with many respondents stating this was a key factor that attracts them to a job role within the hospitality industry.

Commenting on this, Vercoe added, “Training workers and giving them more responsibility builds pride and helps increase retention rates. When someone takes the time to invest in you and let you learn, it builds loyalty and commitment to the organisation. Whether recruitment is managed via AI software, recruitment consultant, or HR personnel, its interaction must create a long-lasting positive impression. The “fight for talent” needs to be addressed by optimising your recruitment process to target, reach, engage and communicate effectively with the right candidates.”

CatererGlobal.com is part of StepStone’s hospitality talent portfolio, working with the industry, for the industry. Providing innovative solutions to hospitality hiring challenges, through unparalleled audiences, technology, insight, data and teams.

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© Press Release 2021