The initiative forms part of a government partnership with UKHospitality, aimed at helping 18 to 24-year-olds who are not in education, employment or training (NEET). It combines industry-specific training, practical experience and guaranteed job interviews.
The announcement comes as the government seeks to address youth unemployment, with around one million young people currently outside education, employment and training. The scheme has already been tested in Cardiff, London, Liverpool, Manchester and Coventry.
How the New Hospitality Skills Passport Will Help Young People Find Work
The DWP confirmed further details of the programme on 3 November, following a parliamentary question from Labour MP Preet Kaur Gill. According to DWP minister Andrew Western, participating hospitality businesses have committed to offering more than 100,000 jobs to eligible young people by the end of Parliament.
Employers involved include Whitbread, Marriott, Parkdean Resorts, Haven, Sodexo, Merlin Entertainments, Wagamama, Compass, Stonegate Group, Fuller’s and De Vere, alongside several major restaurant chains.
The Hospitality Skills Passport is designed to establish a universal entry standard for hospitality employment, covering roles in restaurants, pubs, hotels and other businesses.
Participants receive sector-specific training and practical workplace experience before completing the programme. Successful candidates obtain a passport certifying the skills they have developed, alongside a guaranteed opportunity to attend a job interview.
The DWP also offers work experience placements lasting between two and four weeks, allowing participants to gain practical knowledge of hospitality workplaces and receive interview support.
Another route involves Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs), which combine pre-employment training, work experience and guaranteed interviews. The Destination Hospitality pilot, developed with UKHospitality, has expanded to 22 SWAPs across 16 areas in England and Scotland.
Early Results Show Strong Employment Outcomes From Pilot Schemes
According to UKHospitality, five pilot schemes conducted in partnership with the DWP have recorded an 85% course completion rate. Of those who completed the four-week programme, 80% subsequently secured employment in the hospitality industry.
The training includes customer service, workplace compliance and practical experience, giving participants an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities before attending interviews. UKHospitality has also highlighted the complexity of entering the sector, where more than 200 different qualifications are available.
Kate Nicholls, the organisation’s chief executive, said a universal entry standard could simplify recruitment and allow workers to store and track their qualifications in one place. The industry body has called for Adult Education Budget funding to support a wider rollout of the programme.
According to the government’s announcement on 15 October, the hospitality commitment sits alongside a separate initiative offering 100,000 jobs in retail.
The wider employment strategy includes an additional £2.5 billion for the Youth Guarantee and Growth and Skills Levy by 2029, intended to support almost one million young people and create up to 500,000 opportunities to earn and learn.
The government has also outlined plans for additional work experience placements, apprenticeships and expanded Youth Hubs as part of its efforts to help young people enter employment.
