A plan to place over 100 people into restaurants and hospitality jobs over the next two months is being set in motion this week.

A new joint initiative between the Ministry of Social Development, and the Restaurant Association has launched to help fill the critical skills shortage in the hospitality industry.

The Hospo Ready initiative will work to place job seekers into hospitality roles and work with employers to support and mentor those people during their employment.

The scheme will place up to 130 new recruits into roles in the industry over the next seven weeks.

'This is a critical time for our industry. Hospitality continues to grow and yet we continue to struggle to find the necessary workers to fill the demand,” says Restaurant Association CEO Marisa Bidois.

'It is important we find new ways to attract and train a new wave of recruits to sustain our industry for the future.”

Hospo Ready provides tailored job seeking assistance and support for people wanting to work in hospitality. The service is completely free and designed to easily connect job seekers with employers.

'It also supports employers to take on new recruits who may not have the required experience. '

Hospo Ready carefully matches jobseekers and employers to ensure a successful and long-term employment outcome by providing ongoing support to both employers and job seekers after employment commences.

'This could be additional training if required, or regular mentoring support.”

Hospo Ready promotes professionalism in the workplace and ensures all employers provide supportive work environments to their employees.

Hospo Ready follows on the heels of the successful HospoStart programme, a joint initiative between the Ministry of Social Development and the Restaurant Association which trains job seekers into a new career in hospitality. The programme has trained and supported approximately 1000 workers into the industry since it launched in 2015 and continues to successfully link employers and employees in the industry.

The Restaurant Association supports New Zealand's diverse and creative hospitality businesses to deliver first class experiences to diners, operating as the link between good food and good business. Since its humble beginnings in 1972, it has worked to offer advice, help and assistance in every facet of the vibrant and diverse hospitality industry.

The organisation now represents, advocates and cheerleads for more than 2500 hospitality businesses within New Zealand. It offers 24/7 advice and assistance on key industry issues, from property lease advice to wellness in the workplace.

The Association also provides its members with industry-wide accreditation programs which set best practice standards and help them measure how they're tracking. And it works in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development to deliver the Hospostart training programme.

For more information go to www.hospoready.co.nz