Andrew Harrison, talks to Hospitality and Events North about why offering formal training and development should not be overlooked and could be key to retaining talent in our sector.
Our most recent Size and Scale Index for Exhibitions report has shown that we’ve bounced back to almost pre-COVID levels of business. There are also clear signs that the recruitment challenges faced in recent years are easing. People who left the industry to work in other sectors are now returning as the worry about events not offering job security dissipates. Likewise, increasing numbers of younger talent are choosing to join. So, the big question now is, how to we retain them?
The industry has always worked hard to attract talent but that’s just one piece of the puzzle. We also need look at how we train, develop and retain our talent. It’s no longer enough to offer the obvious such as fair compensation, flexibility and prioritise their wellbeing. Employees, particularly younger ones, are hungry to learn so investment in training and professional development (L&D) is the next obvious step to consider and will make you the more attractive employer.
Recent research conducted in the UK revealed that Gen Z and Millennials are prioritising L&D more than any other generation. Two thirds said L&D improves their commitment to their employer – the highest of any age group - while three-quarters agree that it boosts job satisfaction.
Much of our industry is about leaning on the job, so much so that it could be perceived that there is no need for additional formal training, but that is increasingly becoming a somewhat short-sighted viewpoint. A core part of our mission at ESSA is to address this, hence the introduction of our free Student Membership initiative and, as part of the Events Industry Alliance (ESSA, AEO, AEV), we recently launched our government manifesto with skills and training one of five key areas.
Businesses that encourage employees to learn have up to 50% higher engagement and retention rates which equates to happier employees, improved customer satisfaction and a stronger bottom line. The results speak for themselves.
Published in the July 2023 issue of Hospitality and Events North magazine.
