A HOTEL group is establishing a new hospitality training
academy to invest in its staff development, broaden career experiences
and improve customer service.

English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues has set up its Hospitality Academy
in partnership with Kendal College to deliver nationally recognised
qualifications.

Training will be available to existing staff and new recruits of all
ages, with Level 2 NVQs including food safety in catering, hospitality
team member and personal licence holder for managing retail sales of
alcohol.

The hotel group has launched the academy to accelerate the careers of
newcomers to the hospitality industry, provide best practice support and
training and up-skill existing team members. Courses will be delivered
over a 15 month period, with a dedicated tutor assigned for each
participant.

Daniel Winstanley from English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues said:
“Training with the Hospitality Academy will provide team members with
the requisite baseline of knowledge and skills.

“The key objective of the training is to help embed first rate
hospitality and team working skills, and the ability to recognise
customers’ individual needs so that every guest feels special and has an
excellent experience with us.

“As well as getting new qualifications, they will attend masterclasses
and demos from industry professionals and collaborate with other hotels
to gain more experience.

“There are multiple benefits for our venues. Our team members will gain
a much better understanding of how their role fits with those around
them. They will develop critical thinking, team building and leadership
skills, and all of that in turn leads to a more customer focused
approach.”

Kendal College head of faculty for leisure & service Industries Richard
Axford: “A hospitality team member can work in a range of diverse
environments, from food and beverage services and food preparation
through to housekeeping, concierge and reservations.

“Job roles are by nature highly varied and although hospitality team
members tend to specialise in an area, they have to be adaptable and
ready to support team members across their business. It’s great to see
English Lakes Hotels making such a defined commitment to workforce
development and we’re looking forward to working with them to deliver
the training.”