After a successful launch in 2015, the UK’s only dedicated pub show, PUB16, is responding to the demand from attendees for more people-focused content with the launch of a new feature are, Recruit – Train – Retain.
PUB16, which takes place on 9 and 10 February at London’s Olympia, will be giving pub owners, operators and pubcos the chance to gain invaluable knowledge and insight into recruitment, training and reducing staff turnover to develop a happier and more productive workforce.
The Recruit – Train – Retain area features industry leaders and recruitment experts People 1st, CPL Training Group, HIT Training, hospitality industry charity Springboard and the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA). They will be hosting invaluable careers and training talks and seminars throughout the two-day show, focusing on key recruitment and retention issues, with Punch Taverns and Enterprise Inns also showcasing their tenanted pub programme within the section.
Topics being discussed will include perceptions of working in hospitality, whether staff investment is the key to long term sustainability and the impact of the National Living Wage and Apprenticeship Levy, two of the biggest changes for employers in 2016. Hosted by Martin-Christian Kent, executive director of People 1st, this session will look at how these changes may stop the pub industry relying on a young transient workforce to meet its staffing needs and what impact it will have on the way employers recruit, retain and develop their staff.
Commenting on the new dedicated area of the show, Luke Perry, event director of PUB16, says: “The challenges of recruitment and skills shortages in the pub industry are hot topics which can’t be ignored, with the chef shortage in particular causing huge issues for businesses. The start of the year is typically a time for employees to take stock of their career and employers need to act early to stop their top talent leaving later in the year.
“Recruit – Train – Retain will focus on how training staff and nurturing the potential in employees can improve the effectiveness and profitability of pub businesses and will give owners and managers a chance to hear some top tips from those who have developed recruitment initiatives to attract the most promising young people.”
Showcasing a wide range of training solutions and innovative training and development software at PUB16 and hosting a training session at 12.45pm on both days, Daniel Davies, CEO of CPL, says: “It’s no secret that the pub and bar sector has an issue with staff retention. While staff turnover is falling, the industry is still struggling to retain staff. With staff retention reportedly costing the hospitality sector £274m annually it is imperative that action is taken now in order to mitigate this problem. By attending PUB16 operators will be able to find out about the most valuable training programmes and how best to recruit and train their staff.”
Representing the £22bn UK pub industry, PUB16 is supported by the industry’s foremost organisations including the ALMR, BII, British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) and the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), along with industry leading businesses such as BrewDog, Meantime Brewing Co., Punch Taverns and Enterprise Inns.
With more than 150 exhibitors and an exciting line-up of free-to-attend business sessions and panel discussions tailored to the aspiring pub owner and operator eager to build profits, it’s an unmissable event for t
he UK’s pub owners, proprietors and directors.
For more information on PUB16 and to register to attend for free, visit www.thepubshow.co.uk.