The FIFA World Cup 2022 has been a financial boon for the UK, with a £7.6 billion boost to the economy. This surge in spending has had a significant impact on the job market, particularly in the hospitality and events sectors. The demand for temporary workers has skyrocketed, with a £1.6 billion boost for employment services. This has led to a surge in hiring for seasonal bar and waiting staff, food delivery drivers, sports merchandise retailers, and event roles such as security and clean-up at city centre fan zones.
The tournament has also created a short-term boost in demand for temporary and flexible staffing across the UK, particularly in hospitality and events. This has led to a surge in spending on food and drinks, creating more temporary jobs in supermarkets, food production, and logistics services. The Co-op, for example, has seen a rise in demand for its Detroit-style pizza, with Tessa Weston, a pizza product development manager, highlighting the importance of creativity and problem-solving in her role.
The tournament is forecast to generate an additional £1.2 billion of spending compared to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, contributing to a total £3.8 billion extra spending in retail and hospitality over the course of the summer. This has led to a surge in transactions at pubs, with thirsty revellers pushing transactions up to five times normal levels on England match days. The late-night kick-offs have also led to a wave of next-day spending worth around £30 million, with people buying extra coffees and hangover breakfasts.
The World Cup has also had a positive impact on the job market, with employers bracing for workers taking sick days during the tournament, but instead, absence rates fell during the tournament. This is a testament to the positive impact of the tournament on the economy and the job market.
The tournament has also created opportunities for job seekers, with temporary work giving them the chance to gain valuable experience and show their skills. Shazia Ejaz, of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, highlights the importance of recent experience on a CV and the potential for recruiters to help job seekers take the next step in building their careers.
The tournament has also had a positive impact on the football industry, with record levels of interest in jobs such as technical delivery managers, finance managers, partnerships managers, legal counsels, software engineers, retail managers, and nutritionists. LinkedIn Careers Expert Charlotte Davies emphasizes the importance of looking beyond the pitch to see what jobs are on offer.
In conclusion, the FIFA World Cup 2022 has been a financial and job market boon for the UK, with a positive impact on the hospitality, events, and football industries. The tournament has created opportunities for job seekers and employers, and has had a positive impact on the economy and the job market.
