The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed details of a partnership with Britain's biggest hospitality employers to deliver 100,000 paid jobs for young people not in education, employment or training, with a Hospitality Skills Passport at its centre.

The partnership was announced on 15 October 2026, and the department set out further details in a parliamentary written answer on 26 October. Hospitality businesses including Whitbread, McDonald's, Nando's, Marriott, Compass, Burger King and Wagamama have committed to providing more than 100,000 jobs for 18 to 24-year-olds who are not in education, employment or training by the end of the Parliament.

What the Hospitality Skills Passport offers

The opportunities will be delivered through direct recruitment and a hospitality training programme that gives disadvantaged young people sector-specific experience, a guaranteed interview and a Hospitality Skills Passport, which certifies that they have the skills needed to succeed in the sector. The scheme has already been rolled out in Cardiff, London, Liverpool, Manchester and Coventry.

The department is working with UKHospitality and mayoral strategic authorities to expand access to the passport through approved colleges and training providers, funded through the Adult Skills Fund. UKHospitality says 80 per cent of people completing the passport course are now employed in the hospitality industry.

Wider Youth Guarantee funding

The announcement sits within a wider package: the Government is investing an additional £2.5 billion by 2029 in the Youth Guarantee and the Growth and Skills Levy, supporting almost one million young people and creating up to 500,000 opportunities to earn and learn. A Jobs Guarantee is expected to support more than 90,000 young people, alongside 300,000 additional work experience and training placements.

Young people interested should speak to their Jobcentre or watch for vacancies through employers' existing hiring routes.

Sources: GOV.UK, https://www.gov.uk/government/news/britains-biggest-hospitality-brands-partner-with-government-to-deliver-100000-jobs-for-neet-young-people ; UK Parliament written answers, https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-10-16/35516