Hotels group creates Hospitality Academy in partnership with local college

A North West hotels group is setting up a hospitality training academy.

English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues has established its Hospitality Academy in partnership with Kendal College.

It is aimed at delivering nationally-recognised qualifications and investing in its staff development, broadening career experiences and improving customer service.

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.

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.”

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

Kendal College head of faculty for leisure and service industries, Richard Axford, said: “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.”