Premier Inn, the UK’s leading budget hotel chain, is on target to train 150 apprentices in Scotland, with the announcement of a further 32 apprenticeships during Scottish Apprenticeship Week – 29th February – 4th March 2016.
Aimed at school leavers, the new Modern Apprenticeship Programme, developed in partnership with ITC Academy and Skills Development Scotland, has been a huge success since it launched in October 2015.
The 12 month programme gives apprentices the chance to gain first-hand experience in every area of Premier Inn hotels, from housekeeping to reception, earn money and gain recognised hospitality industry Level 2 qualifications at the same time.
All apprentices are employed on permanent contracts, with progression opportunities, and are paid a standard rate, which is above the minimum wage. .
Sandra Kelly, Head of Education at Whitbread, said: “We are delighted to be able to announce more vacancies on our Scottish Modern Apprenticeship Programme especially during Scottish Apprenticeship Week.
“We have worked really closely with ITC Academy and Skills Development Scotland for some time to put the right programme in place, which has really paid off.
“It’s great to see it all come together and to be able to be in a position to announce a further 32 vacancies, which will enable us to hit our target of training 150 apprentices in Scotland this year.”
Thomas Foster, (20), from St Andrews, one of the first apprentices to be enrolled on the new Apprenticeship Programme, joined the kitchen team in the newly opened hotel in St Andrews in November 2015.
Thomas said: “It’s been such a great opportunity for me to be one of the first apprentices on this new Premier Inn Modern Apprenticeship Programme. I’ve already learned so much in such a short space of time and I’m really looking forward to what the next eight months will bring at this new hotel.
“I now believe this is more than a job, but a career of choice which I feel lucky to have in my hometown and being among fantastic team members who are giving me a lot of help and support every day. “
Lawrence Durden, Skills Development Scotland’s tourism sector manager, said: “Modern Apprenticeships provide great opportunities for young people to work, earn and learn in the hospitality industry.
“Providing Modern Apprenticeships is a vital way for the industry to continue to attract talented young people and to maintain and develop a skilled workforce for the future.”
Ian McCulloch, Director of ITC Academy, said: “ITC Academy is delighted with the success of this programme, with the first group of apprentices progressing well and we are really excited about the prospect of taking on another 32 over the next few months.”
To apply for the Premier Inn Scottish Modern Apprenticeship Programme, click here