Seeing the industry through teen eyes

Seeing the industry through teen eyes

The race is on to recruit young people to the ever-growing travel and tourism sector. But how do teenagers view the industry? Paul Malone reports

A CAREER in the travel and hospitality industry has traditionally been held in low regard, with long hours and poor pay being cited as reasons to steer clear when looking for a long-term job.

But research carried out by Springboard UK among 14-to-17-year-olds shows attitudes are changing.

The findings of the 2000 Survey of Careers Choices and Influences, conducted among 729 school pupils from across the UK, show that young people have a more favourable impression of the hospitality, travel and leisure industry than their counterparts who took part in a similar survey in 1993.

The findings show 36% of students have had part-time jobs in the industry and of those, 52% would consider a career in the industry.

Young people’s aspirations of their future career are also changing. Pay is still the top priority, but it is now closely followed by respect from others, the chance to learn new skills, a feeling of achievement and working with friendly people.

These same pupils regard the travel and hospitality industry as providing them with good opportunities to meet these aspirations, although they still have reservations about the industry’s ability to pay well.

The findings also reflect a change in culture regarding flexible working patterns. Most would be prepared to consider a career that requires them to work part-time, in shifts or at weekends.

Job security and working for a large company are no longer regarded as the most important factors in career choice. However, most pupils agreed that working long hours is not acceptable.

When it comes to advice on career choice, parents are by far the most influential group.

Parents see pay as the most important feature of a career for their children, followed by good promotion prospects.

However, besides hotel managers, parents do not put the industry’s jobs high on their list of suitable career options for their offspring.

Many parents say they find it difficult to advise on future career choices and feel poorly informed. They said they would like to see more information and open days in schools, better enabling them to advise and support their child.

Work experience, casual and part-time work have the biggest impact on young people’s career choice, according to the research.

Perceived positives of travel and tourism careers are that they offer opportunity to travel, with the downsides being working away from home and long hours.

TTCTraining head of sales and marketing,Peter Holyoake, said: “The results are what I expected to see from the hospitality sector, not necessarily the travel sector.

“However, it is true that children are influenced by a number of people when deciding on a future career. They are definitely influenced by their parents.”

Copies of the Career Perceptions and Influences full report are available from Springboard UK, 3 Denmark St, London, WC2H 8LP, priced £30.

Survey results

&#42 84% of young people are undecided about a future career.

&#42 36% of students have worked in the industry. Of those 52% would consider a career in the industry.

&#42 72% of students with some work experience in the industry believe it offers an opportunity to earn a high salary, compared to 52% of those who do not have experience.

&#42 63% of pupils would consider a career that requires them to work shifts or part-time.

&#42 73% would be prepared to work weekends.

&#42 98% of parents offer career advice to children.

&#42 Parental advice is the biggest influence on pupils’ career choice, followed by tutors and careers advisors .

&#42 Work experience is the biggest influence on career choice, while company talks and visits are also important .

Guidance: young people consult their parents when considering career options