Schools and colleges have a critical role to play in building the talent pipeline in the catering sector, according to Vicky Williams, HR director, resourcing and development, Compass Group UK & Ireland.

Williams told Recruiter: “There are millions of people out of work so it is not a case that good candidates are rare, it is more a matter that they do not know what opportunities are available to them or where to look.  For this, I believe that schools’ and colleges’ careers services are largely to blame.  We need people of all abilities and skills to understand that contract catering can offer a fantastic career with opportunities to work in some very exciting places for people with the highest expectations of food quality and customer service.”

See Recruiter 17 March for more from Vicky Williams in Recruiter’s hospitality and catering sector focus.