The British Hospitality Association (BHA) has announced that the UK's hospitality and tourism industries are set to generate more than 30,000 job opportunities for young people by 2015.

Pledges were made at a series of nine Big Hospitality Conversation events which have taken place over the past year across the UK with in excess of 1,200 industry representatives present.

More than 14,800 permanent roles will be created, with 11,103 apprenticeships and 5,157 paid university work placements also on offer.

The hospitality industry currently employs 10 per cent of the national workforce with the BHA coordinating the job creation drive aiming to offer young unemployed people in the UK job opportunities.

Simon Vincent, EMEA president for Hilton Worldwide said: "Increasing the competitiveness of the UK's hospitality and tourism industry is key to sustained recovery. With relatively low barriers to entry, we are ideally placed to help tackle youth unemployment, providing lifelong careers and ultimately stimulate and support growth for the UK hospitality industry."

The BHA, in partnership with Business in the Community and Springboard, are running the campaign, which involve a series of discussion-based events where industry leaders meet young people looking to find work placements and apprenticeships.