New scheme will create 100 opportunities across the UK
LONDON, 2012-08-29 — /travelprnews.com/ — As exam results are released nationwide and young people contemplate their future, Hilton Worldwide has launched the Hilton Apprenticeship Academy, creating more than 100 opportunities for individuals to learn the art of hospitality across a range of disciplines within its UK hotels.
The Hilton Apprenticeship Academy will build on the success of the company’s Chef Apprenticeship Academy, which has trained more than 60 apprentices since its inception in 2010. The scheme’s phenomenal success has seen more than 95 percent of participants secure permanent employment and its popularity has encouraged a further 25 new apprentices to join the latest enrolment.
Now, the Hilton Apprenticeship Academy will extend the opportunity to more than 100 job seekers to train with Hilton Worldwide in one of six 12-month apprenticeships across a range of hospitality disciplines, including:
- Professional Cookery
- Front Office
- Food & Beverage Service
- Multi-Skilled Hospitality Service
- LivingWell Exercise & Fitness
- Sales
Ben Bengougam, vice president, human resources, Europe, Hilton Worldwide, said, “Young people are facing a difficult job market with high youth unemployment and many will be considering alternatives to university study. Our Hilton Apprenticeship Academy provides an entry-level education into the exciting world of hospitality and an attractive route into employment with one of the world’s leading companies of its kind.”
“Attracting the right talent into our business at all levels remains integral to our business strategy, especially at a time where we are experiencing rapid growth across the UK. We recognize the need to ensure young people have access to opportunities and training so they obtain the necessary skills to make them attractive in a global marketplace.”
The launch of the new Hilton Apprenticeship Academy sees the company partnering with Lifetime Training, one of the UK’s top apprenticeship and training providers. Together the two organisations have created a bespoke programme that offers individuals on the job training from professionally qualified experts; on site mentors; development workshops; and master classes.
Each apprentice will also work towards a Level 2 Apprenticeship qualification, which is equivalent to five GCSEs at grade A-C. Apprenticeships will be fully funded, including tuition fees and travel expenses, plus participants receive a salary during the programme. The programme will recruit more than 25 apprentices at each quarterly intake – at least 100 in the next 12 months.
John Hayes, UK Skills Minister, said, “It is fantastic news that Hilton Worldwide is expanding its apprenticeship programme which will help it to secure high-quality skills across a range of disciplines.
“Apprenticeships not only provide opportunities for the brightest and best, they are a driving force in creating a highly-skilled workforce that can help grow the nation’s economy.”
Hilton Worldwide currently employs more than 12,000 team members across its portfolio of more than 100 hotels in the UK, with 22 new hotels in the pipeline offering more than 1800 new career opportunities.
James Fox, Hilton Worldwide apprentice, said, “Although I didn’t grow up wanting to work in hospitality I now feel like I’ve found my calling. I’m in the final stages of the Chef Apprenticeship Academy and I am excited to be taking on a full-time job as commis chef at Hilton London Metropole in September. The apprenticeship gave me a strong theoretical grounding in a practical environment and the people I’ve met here have been really inspiring – hospitality is an exciting industry and I urge anyone out there looking for their next challenge to consider the Hilton Apprenticeship Academy.”
Applications for the Hilton Apprenticeship Academy are now open for the programme’s inaugural intake of 25 at locations across the UK. Apprenticeships will commence in October nationwide and anyone interested in this or any other job opportunities at Hilton Worldwide should visit: facebook.com/hiltoncareers or hiltonworldwide.com/careers.
Just last week Hilton Worldwide announced the opening of its first dual-brand property in the UK, Hilton & Hampton by Hilton at St George’s Park, Burton upon Trent with a special emphasis on fulfilling the Olympic legacy of sports tourism and youth development.
Editor’s note
The Hilton Apprenticeship Academy is recruiting in the following locations: Aberdeen, Arundel, Aviemore, Basingstoke, Birmingham, Bracknell, Brighton, Bristol, Cobham, Coventry, Croydon, Gatwick, Glasgow, Greater London, Leicester, Liverpool, Maidstone, Newbury, Newcastle, Nottingham, Portsmouth, Southampton, Strathclyde, Warwick, Watford.
Contact:
Hayley Douglas
+44 7974 229 274
hayley.douglas@hilton.com
About Hilton WorldwideHilton Worldwide is a leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For 93 years, Hilton Worldwide has offered business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands. Its brands are comprised of more than 3,900 hotels and timeshare properties, with 640,000 rooms in 91 countries and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors®.
Visit hiltonworldwide.com for more information and connect with Hilton Worldwide at