25 May 2021
Uniting on Purpose to Rebuild Graduates' Confidence and Career Paths Post Covid in the Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Industry

Representation Plus

The “Future Careers Fair 2021”, a free online careers fair for hospitality and tourism graduates, is being held on Friday, 28 May, from 12 to 2.30 pm and aims to rebuild their collective confidence after the trauma of covid and challenges completing their courses during this period. 

For those undertaking diploma and degree programmes in hospitality and tourism, lockdown has been particularly challenging.  As well as their educational experience moving online, post-graduation employment opportunities have been limited, and prospects for the future remain uncertain, despite the sector now reopening. This virtual convention 'Future Careers Fair 2021', provides an opportunity for leading employers and representative bodies to reassure graduates that their investment in education still provides them with outstanding career opportunities. 

Up to 500 graduates and students will participate in the event, from universities and specialist hospitality and tourism schools in the UK, Europe, and across the world. 12  exhibitors seeking to connect with and, help them on their career paths, will be making presentations in their private meeting rooms from leading hotel brands the Dorchester Collection, Jumeirah and Swire Hotels to top industry associations The Institute of Hospitality, Tourism Society, ATHE, CHIME, and careers specialists/partners Retrovo, Yummy Jobs and Springboard.

The Oxford Cultural Collective and Representation Plus are partnering in the initiative hosted by the ezyvirtualevents platform.  In the words of Don Sloan, Chair of the OCC: “Our aim is to send a really positive message to students and graduates, that the future success of our sector is dependent on their contribution. Yes, these have been challenging times, but employers will welcome graduates' commitment to building careers in hospitality and tourism and as the sector rebuilds there will be no shortage of opportunities.”

Keynote speakers at the event include Kellie Rixon MBE and Robert Richardson, both recently appointed to the Institute of Hospitality as Chair and CEO respectively; Eugio Pirri, Chief People and Culture Office, The Dorchester Collection; and Linzi Boyd, Founder of BoB Earth and Personal Brand Guru, Jumeirah's Chief Human Resources Officer Ellen Du Bellay, followed by a panel discussion with two more recent graduates and how their career paths have developed. 

“Career paths in our industry can no longer follow the 20th century graduate program model, as these are now few and far between”, commented Alison Cryer, Founder Representation Plus, “With their 21st Century mindset,  graduates need to identity their purpose and map out how to achieve this using existing and new skill sets, their personal brand, networks and communities, our purpose is to help them on this journey”.

Students and graduates who would like to participate, should visit the website of the Oxford Cultural Collective (www.oxfordculturalcollective.com). 

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For further media information contact: 

Representation Plus

Alison Cryer, Founder/MD

Email: alison@representationplus.co.uk 

Tel:  07831 555 106

www.representationplus.co.uk

www.ezyvirtualevents.com

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Please spread the word to your networks that reach this generation of young and highly skilled people and help them to engage with the industry.

This is the first in a series of Virtual Career Fairs and an annual event for this industry sector. If you would like to be involved in future events or attend any of the keynote sessions please let us know.