Hospitality sector pledges 100,000 jobs for young unemployed over three years
Major UK hospitality chains including McDonald's, Nando's and Whitbread have committed to hiring 100,000 young people not in education, employment or training in a government-backed scheme targeting 18–24-year-olds struggling to enter the workforce.
Britain's leading hospitality businesses have launched a major partnership with the UK government and UKHospitality to tackle youth unemployment by offering 100,000 paid jobs over the next three years. The scheme, announced on 15 October 2026, targets young people aged 18 to 24 who are not in education, employment or training (NEET).
Major employers backing the initiative
Participating companies include Whitbread, McDonald's, Nando's, Marriott, Compass, Burger King, Parkdean Resorts, Haven, Fuller's, Merlin Entertainments, Stonegate Group, Mitchells & Butlers, Wagamama, Sodexo, WSH Limited and De Vere. The employers will provide not only paid employment but also work experience and training opportunities, with placements lasting up to four weeks to help participants gain skills and confidence.
The initiative addresses a significant challenge: nearly one million young people across the UK currently remain outside the labour market. According to recent findings from a government review, nearly six in ten young people who are NEET have never held a job. Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden highlighted hospitality's historic role in youth employment, noting the sector remains one of Britain's biggest employers of people under 25.
Broader government effort on youth employment
The scheme forms part of wider government efforts to tackle youth inactivity, including a similar retail sector announcement last month also targeting 100,000 jobs. The government is also investing an additional £2.5 billion in the Youth Guarantee and Growth and Skills Levy, and has launched a £450 million Youth Matters programme to prevent disengagement through improved youth spaces, youth workers, and face-to-face activities.
If you are an expat parent with teenagers or young adult children in the UK, or a young foreigner considering starting your career in the UK, this scheme represents a concrete pathway into employment in a major sector. Hospitality roles often offer flexible hours—useful for students—and come with transferable skills. Check whether your employer is participating and what support is available through the Hospitality Skills Passport training route.
Sources
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