Member Article

Ashford International employees complete UK’s only hotel foundation degree programme

Two hospitality employees from Ashford, Kent, are on their way to completing the UK’s only degree course dedicated to developing people currently working in the hotel industry.

Gemma Alford and Ryan Barnett from Ashford International, one of QHotels’ portfolio of unique hotels, were presented with a Level 4 Certificate in Professional Hospitality Operational Management at Hellidon Lakes Golf and Spa Hotel in Daventry today.

QHotels, which was named AA Hotel Group of the Year 2014, has joined forces with University College Birmingham (UCB) to develop a two-year programme which combines academic and practical learning from internal specialists at QHotels, accredited by UCB.

Gemma, Ryan and six other staff members from various hotels across the country join another eight colleagues, who received their Level 4 Certificates earlier in the year. This will mean a total of 16 QHotels staff will graduate with Foundation Degrees in September next year.

Part of the hotel group’s Management Trainee Programme, the UCB-accredited Foundation Degree in Professional Hospitality Operational Management is the only course of its kind to allow hotel staff to progress to degree-level straight from school.

Sarah Abercrombie, Educational Development Manager at QHotels, said: “We’re really proud of Gemma, Ryan and all of our first year students that received recognition today.

“QHotels is dedicated to making sure that staff at all levels of the organisation are given the opportunities to develop in the areas they work in.

“Through our QEducation programme, you could potentially start your career as a 16-year old trainee and work your way up to becoming a future General Manager.”

Gemma and Ryan were presented with their certificate by Rob Swinnock, Assistant Dean of the School of Hospitality, Tourism and Events Management at University College Birmingham.

Rob said: “Development of management potential and preparing students for the world of work are core objectives at UCB. Seeing students complete the first stage towards achieving a full Foundation Degree is a significant milestone for both students and the teams involved in developing, teaching and assessing the programme.

“It is a worthwhile partnership initiative now in its fifth year of development.

“It has both benefitted QHotels and our full-time students in helping to maintain relevance and currency in a fast-paced, competitive sector seeking to develop and retain talent.”

The eight students presented with certificates were:

Sarah Willis from Stratford Manor in Warwickshire Michael Arnold from Chesford Grange in Warwickshire Laura Garner-Willetts from Norton Park in Hampshire Odell Newport from Telford Hotel & Golf Resort in Shropshire Ryan Barnett from Ashford International in Kent Gemma Alford from Ashford International in Kent Benjamin Lodge from The Queens in Leeds Jan Wozowczyk from Crewe Hall in Cheshire

Applications for the next intake of students for the QHotels Management Trainee Programme will open in February 2015. For more information, please visit: www.qhotelsjobs.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by The People Experts Blog .