A quarter of hospitality workers haven’t learnt a new activity

19th March 2010, 10:31am

Over a quarter (26%) of those working in the hospitality, tourism and leisure sector haven’t learnt a new activity or hobby, while just under one in ten (8%) haven’t read a book for pleasure during the past 12 months, according to new research.

Last year Department For Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) a consultation found that people were keen to take up learning opportunities if they were made available and easy to find.

Encouragingly, workers within the sector were enthusiastic about learning something new, with almost half (46%) saying they felt that learning a new skill or hobby would make them more confident at work.

The thing they would most like to learn is photography (19%), followed by dance (21%).

Kevin Brennan, minister for Further Education and Skills, said: "Informal learning keeps people mentally and physically active, and is also great for meeting others and making friends.

"Craft classes, knitting circles and family history projects are all looking for places to meet, so it's good to see more and more organisations providing space for them to do this. But there's so much more that can be done."

Click here to submit a comment!

Have your say!

To comment on this article, simply enter your name and email and send us your views. Please note that your comment will appear publicly below this article once it has been processed. For enquiries please email info@eatoutmagazine.co.uk.