Campaign to make hospitality and catering jobs more attractive

The Brussels hospitality sector wants to promote and professionalise hospitality professions, raise quality standards and make the sector more attractive, with the launch of a new campaign called "Choose Horeca" [hotels, restaurants and catering] by employers and the government.

The hospitality sector suffers from cliches, such as the belief that the hours are too long and the work too stressful, making it difficult to find staff.

But Laure Van Ranst, head of the industry training centre Horeca Forma Be Pro said it was a “sector in full bloom” which is constantly adapting and where there will always be work. Her company offers short and long courses and is used by more than 1,000 people every year.

For Rodolphe Van Weyenbergh, secretary general of the Brussels Hotel Association (BHA), more accurate communication is essential.

“Yes, the sector has suffered, but it is resilient and is developing very well again,” he said, pointing to the many career opportunities in the industry. “After all, these are jobs that cannot simply be relocated.”

Brussels minister for vocational training, Bernard Clerfayt (Défi), said that the hospitality industry was an important economic and social engine of the Brussels region.

“Brussels without catering is like a beer without foam,” he said. “I hope that we can attract new talents with this campaign.”

The campaign also strives for fair and equitable working conditions, effective and inspiring management, regular training and the keeping up to date with social legislation, the promotion of diversity and inclusion, a balanced range of catering services for better health, local and sustainable sourcing of food, and for the reduction of food waste by “optimising our menus and stock management”.