Suggested ways to help diversify and promote the industry included: offering more part time senior positions, showcasing real life examples of progression, reviving the Saturday job and developing work schemes that complement older workers.
UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls said: “The hospitality sector is diverse in workforce and reach across the UK. The industry employs more women than men and is the second largest employer of EU workers and the fifth highest as a percentage of the workforce. Now is the time for government to step up and support our industry in developing the hospitality workforce of the future.”
Parliamentarians heard from: Courtney Avery, a Youth Employment UK ambassador; Nikki Kelly, acting chief executive and director of programmes at Tottenham Hotspur Foundation; Sunder Katwala, director of British Future; and Conor D'Arcy, senior research and policy analyst at the Resolution Foundation.
Speakers also called for the government to put hospitality at the forefront of the Industrial Strategy.
The Commission, led by UKHospitality, aims to promote understanding of the importance and potential of the sector.
The third session will be held in early July, focusing on education and skills in the industry.