The recruitment industry has a key role to play in ensuring that candidates armed with good customer service skills enter the hospitality industry, according to recruiters.

Christopher Rodrigues, the chairman of Visit Britain, told The Independent newspaper that the hospitality industry had been able to get away with recruiting people who were not of the highest quality but now “poor value for money and poor service costs jobs will cost more jobs in the recession”.

Hazel Neill, director of hospitality recruiter Quality Link Recruitment, told Recruiter: “As recruiters, we are responsible for finding the right person for the right role and creating a partnership. As recruiters for the service industry it is not only the skills and ability to do the job that are essential; a nature that enables you to serve others is vital. It’s up to employers to ensure standards are meet and surpassed as a matter of course.”

Jane Brumby, director at catering recruiter Apple Appointments, favours a thorough approach: “If recruiters are meticulous in their recruitment procedure, then nobody should slip through the net.

“We require a five-year work history. We dig deep. There is no point in any recruitment company placing anyone that is unsuitable.”

Stephanie Rough, managing director at niche recruiter Greycoat Placements, adds: “We supply butlers and housekeepers into bespoke environments. To get that high-end candidate, not only are we checking out references and backgrounds, we are offering courses to see candidates in practice and developing their skills.”