Of all the counties in the UK, the West Midlands is one of the most heavily populated and urbanised. The West Midlands Urban Area (which encompasses cities such as Birmingham and Wolverhampton) is in fact the third most populous conurbation in the UK. The West Midlands as a county also includes the city of Coventry - further adding to its size. Given its population, the West Midlands has a large demand for candidates to fill job roles in the catering industry, and there are a large number of recruitment agencies which exist to service this.
Although not traditionally regarded as a tourist hotspot, the West Midlands does include Birmingham (often regarded as the UK's second city), which as a major centre for business, retail and culture, acts as a significant draw for people from outside of the area. This means that there is a significant demand for catering services in the area.
Further tourism is brought to the West Midlands by the area's large number of professional sports teams - including football clubs such as Aston Villa, Birmingham City and Coventry City, as well as Warwickshire County Cricket Club. Events such as Coventry's annual Godiva Festival attract significant numbers of people to the area and require large numbers of catering staff to service this.
Catering salaries and career progression
Being a metropolitan county, the West Midlands includes a large number of high-end catering establishments, and as such, hospitality industry salaries in the area are kept reasonably high on average - at around £24k. Clearly this varies based on the actual job role in question - but with the catering industry being what it is, candidates can expect to rise through the ranks as they gain experience and qualifications.
Entry-level roles in the catering industry do not command the highest salaries, but often require minimal qualifications and training - with many employers providing this on-the-job. If you have a genuine interest in gastronomy and can work well in a pressured environment, then this may be the career for you.
Whether you're looking for a catering job in Birmingham, Coventry or the West Midlands, or you're an employer trying to find new staff to fill roles within your business, Agency Central has the information you need. We have details for a number of recruitment agencies who can match candidates with employers in this area, right across the catering industry.