Hospitality businesses in Somerset struggling with recruitment and training are being invited to a free event later this month aimed at tackling the sector’s ongoing skills shortage.

Strode College is calling on local employers to join its Hospitality Employer Skills Forum on Monday 28 April, from 4pm to 6pm, at Strode Theatre in Street.

The forum will give hotel, bar, café and restaurant owners the chance to share the challenges they face and learn more about how the college can support them with tailored training, pre-employment programmes and hospitality-focused courses.

A spokesperson for the college said the event is about “making sure Somerset’s hospitality sector isn’t just surviving – but thriving”.

The forum will cover a range of roles across the industry, including waiting staff, bar staff, receptionists and guest experience teams. It is open to anyone working in hospitality, travel or tourism – sectors that remain vital to Somerset’s economy.

Employers will also be able to find out more about apprenticeships and upskilling opportunities for existing staff.

Places are free, but limited, and businesses are being encouraged to register early to secure a space.

To book, visit here or contact [email protected] for more information.