West Flemish catering industry has almost 900 open vacancies

It has been known for some time that the catering industry is struggling with a staff shortage. “But will there be enough staff to service the terraces this summer?” That was the question that Flemish Member of Parliament Caroline Gennez (Vooruit) put to the Minister of Economy and Work Hilde Crevits (CD&V). The answer: there are almost 900 vacancies in West Flanders, the highest number in Flanders.

Highest number since 2018

“The fact that the problem has become more acute due to the corona crisis is apparent from the many testimonials we hear from the catering industry,” says Caroline Gennez. “The figures also show that. In 2019, before the corona crisis, there were only 593 unfilled vacancies.” Since 2018, there has even been an increase of 66 percent.

The figures are striking, since 959 job seekers have followed a catering course at the VDAB. “One of the biggest bottlenecks is to find candidates who are motivated to work in the hospitality industry. Due to the specific working conditions, with atypical working hours, the requested flexibility, and the rather low wages, it is not so easy to warm people up. for a job in the catering industry and the way there, through training, for example,” says Minister of Work Hilde Crevits.

“Need for creativity”

According to Crevits, it is necessary to be creative in order to fill the vacancies and thus to enthuse candidates for a job in the hospitality industry. “In addition, we must join forces. It will only work if VDAB, the sector, local authorities and training providers put their shoulders to the wheel under such initiatives.”

“I also make a warm appeal to companies to give people opportunities. Different formulas of workplace learning can help with this. Working on the influx is one thing, but making careers more sustainable is just as crucial.”