Findings from the first Hospitality Employment Index revealed that 900,000 applications for 40,000 posts were made in the first quarter (January-March 2011), accounting for 21 applicants on average for every post. Over the past year applications have grown by nearly a fifth (17%) and almost doubled (45%) since 2009. Yet whilst 55% of employers surveyed by People 1st have found it easier to recruit staff during the economic downturn, they are still struggling to recruit high calibre, skilled staff who have the appropriate skills, knowledge and experience of working in hospitality. And whilst the greatest number of vacancies has been for higher-skilled jobs such as restaurant managers (7,212), chefs de partie (3,969) and sous chefs (2,011), these posts have also attracted the lowest number of candidates. Other figures found that: • There has been a 10% increase in jobs being posted since the last quarter of 2010 (October-December). • The greatest number of job postings this quarter was for restaurant management positions (7,212) although there was a large number of roles available within chef positions. • Hotel management postings have risen by a fifth (20%) over the past year. It is anticipated that the number of postings will rise further as employers find it much more difficult to recruit hotel managers from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) following recent government changes to migration policy. • All regions and nations – except for Northern Ireland – saw an increase in job applications with the greatest increases in both the West and East Midlands. • The South East saw the greatest number of jobs posted - an increase of 16% on the first quarter of 2010. Meanwhile, the North West suffered the most with a 7% decline in job postings, with Scotland, Wales and Yorkshire all experiencing a 4% fall. Brian Wisdom, chief executive of People 1st, said: "The figures within this report highlight that now is a great time for sector employers to be strengthening their workforce with highly skilled calibre staff and preparing for growth. "This vibrant and growing industry has remained resilient, recruiting in substantial numbers throughout the recession, and has since been recognised by the government as a key sector in helping lead the country towards economic growth. "As the sector skills council for the hospitality sector, we will continue to support employers through our work on qualifications, our training programmes, as well as offering advice and guidance on funding and skills development."