Applications to the highly regarded Master Innholders Scholarship programme have risen by 37% in 2014, with almost half of those received this year coming from ambitious applicants not currently employed by Master Innholders properties.
Awarded to rising stars
Every year, the Master Innholders awards scholarships to ‘rising stars’ already employed within the UK hospitality industry – talented individuals from hotels, restaurants or conference centres.
With a brief to demonstrate good communication skills, self-awareness, understanding of topical issues and a willingness to use skills learnt during the scholarship to encourage the development of others in the industry, this year’s scholarship hopefuls were tasked with submitting an application form and CV that demonstrated their long-term commitment to the industry. They were also required to complete an essay, choosing either to outline the key attributes of a leader, or to explain their view on the difference between leaders and managers.
Winners in November
The successful applicants will be invited to attend interviews in November, with scholarship winners informed on the same day. Candidates are granted places on a two-week management development course at Cranfield University, Cornell University (USA), or the École Hôtelière de Lausanne (Switzerland). The entire cost of tuition, board and lodging is included as well as a contribution towards travel to Cornell and Lausanne.
The Master Innholders Scholarships have seen 234 ambitious general managers and aspiring general managers join the elite roll call of St Julian Scholars since the scheme made its debut in 2005.
Learning and networking experience
Michelle Wells, an alumni of the scheme and now the General Manager of the Park Plaza County Hall, speaks of her amazing opportunity stating, “The two weeks gave me both the best learning time of my career and personally an amazing networking experience with 44 GMs from 21 different countries. The programme allowed me to move from being a competent operator to a very strategic General Manager, having a vision for my team and developing them through my key learnings.”
Find out more about the Master Innholders Scholarship programme here
The Master Innholders will be working in partnership with The Independent Hotel Show this year, a must attend event for independent hoteliers and industry professionals. The show will be held on 21st and 22nd of October at Olympia West Hall, London where they will be speaking in the seminar programme and can be found at stand 273.
For more information click here