Learning Lessons

Andrew Harrison, Director of the Event Supplier and Services Association (ESSA), discusses why offering formal training and development could be key to retaining talent in our sector.

Our most recent Size and Scale Index for Exhibitions report has shown that we’ve bounced back to almost pre-COVID levels of business. There are also clear signs that the recruitment challenges faced in recent years are easing. People who left the industry to work in other sectors are now returning as the worry about events not offering job security dissipates. Likewise, increasing numbers of younger talent are choosing to join. So, the big question now is, how to we retain them?

The industry has always worked hard to attract talent but that’s just one piece of the puzzle. We also need look at how we train, develop, and retain our talent. It’s no longer enough to offer the obvious such as fair compensation, flexibility, and prioritise their wellbeing. Employees, particularly younger ones, are hungry to learn so investment in training and professional development (L&D) is the next obvious step to consider and will make you the more attractive employer.

Recent research conducted in the UK revealed that Gen Z and Millennials are prioritising L&D more than any other generation. Two thirds said L&D improves their commitment to their employer –the highest of any age group – while three-quarters agree that it boosts job satisfaction.

Much of our industry is about learning on the job, so much so that it could be perceived that there is no need for additional formal training, but that is increasingly becoming a somewhat great way to give them insight into what we do and encourage them to choose us for their career. People who have impressed us have continued to come back and work for us again and again, building their CV and their enthusiasm for the sector.

Event staffing is an opportunity. It’s an opportunity to give young, diverse people experience, and insight into industry. It’s an opportunity to make paying young people the standard and to ensure people aren’t driven away from our industry because of their financial background. It’s an opportunity to discover and work with diverse talent. Let’s make the most of it.

Events 101: info@events101.co.uk

Evcom.org.uk short-sighted viewpoint. A core part of our mission at ESSA is to address this, hence the introduction of our free Student Membership initiative and, as part of the Events Industry Alliance (ESSA, AEO, AEV), we recently launched our government manifesto with skills and training one of five key areas.

Businesses that encourage employees to learn have up to 50% higher engagement and retention rates which equates to happier employees, improved customer satisfaction and a stronger bottom line. The results speak for themselves.

Essa.uk.com