Hilton UK launches week-long recruitment drive to fill 700 jobs

Hotel group Hilton is running a week of promotional activity around recruitment to help fill 700 jobs across its properties in the UK and promote hospitality as a valid career option. 

It is hoped that the week-long recruitment drive, which includes a live web-chat on Facebook with Hilton's head of HR in Europe and speed-dating style  interviews, will help fill the 700 vacancies currently available in a range of roles - from apprenticeships to management positions.

Ben Bengougam, vice president HR, Europe, Hilton Worldwide said: “We’re looking for people with a good work ethic and a passion for delivering excellent customer service.  In return, we provide a fun, exciting, varied and supportive environment to prosper and grow, offering world-class training and development programmes to enable our people to fulfill their potential.”

Apprenticeship scheme expansion

The operator has also revealed plans to work with the National Apprenticeship Service to expand its current apprenticeship scheme by creating 100 new opportunities in addition to its Chef Apprenticeship Academy which trains 60 chefs every year.  

At the recruitment drive launch yesterday, Employment Minister Chris Grayling welcomed the news. "Youth unemployment is my biggest priority in government and I have asked business to join us in giving real opportunities to young people. Hilton Worldwide is a great example of what businesses can do by offering jobs, apprenticeships and key skills for people trying to find work," he said. 

As revealed last year, the hotel operator is also planning to create a further 1,500 jobs in the UK by 2014 through the development of 18 new hotels. 

Find out more about Careers@HiltonLive and the events involved here.

Hilton has also created a hospitality careers video which includes interviews with top people from the hotel chain and tips on how to start a career in the industry.

BigHospitality will be focusing on recruitment all next week, giving advice on how to advertise for staff, what to look for in prospective candidates and how to retain someone when you've found the right one.