Whitbread launches Apprenticeship Programme

Whitbread hotel and restaurant group has today launched a six-month training and development programme and has announced that it will create 1,000 new jobs this year.

All employees are eligible across UK hotel and restaurant operations to enter the 'Whitbread Model' programme. The initiative is also totally integrated into the core business training and development programmes and can be achieved in half the time of a normal NVQ.

By the end of this year over 3,000 employees are expected to have achieved qualifications such as NVQ's and certificates in Adult numeracy and literacy. Employees can study for NVQ's in house keeping, food processing and cooking, food and drink service and front office.

The scheme was developed in conjunction with Awarding Body Edexcel and the Sector Skills Council People 1st, who are backing the programme as a breakthrough in matching vocational qualifications to employer-led training and development.

Paul Knight, team leader, Corey's Mill Beefeater & Stevenage Premier Inn one of the first Whitbread people to complete the scheme commented: "Training in my workplace is a lot more personalised that if I went to college, also being paid whilst you learn is far more beneficial for me then having to find time to fit in both work and college."

Alan Parker, chief executive officer for Whitbread PLC, added: "The 'Whitbread Model' is at the heart of our commitment to attract and train up the very best potential hospitality talent. We need to keep demonstrating that working in the hospitality industry is a great career move, not just a job. By halving the time that it takes to achieve qualifications and combining the NVQ work with our industry leading induction programme, we anticipate that 20% of our workforce will have a nationally recognised qualification by 2010."  

The jobs created for this year are planned to staff the new 12 new hotels, 4 restaurants and over 100 Costa Coffee shops that the group aims to launch this year.

Words: Maria Bracken

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