Travelodge launches apprentices appeal (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Travelodge launches apprentices appeal

2:50pm Tuesday 24th April 2012 in Business By Chris Holland, Business Reporter

Bright school-leavers are being offered the chance of a fast-track route into hotel management – and earn up to £30,000 in the process – by a national chain which recently opened its newest venue in Bradford.

Travelodge is seeking another 40 apprentices for its Junior Management Programme (JuMP) this spring.

The company said the scheme provided A-level students aged 18 and over with an alternative to going to university. The 40 latest apprenticeships are part of Travelodge’s commitment to recruit 120 apprentices this year.

In January, when it announced it was seeking 45 apprentices, Travelodge was inundated with more than 3,000 cvs from young hopefuls – equivalent to 66 school-leavers vying for every vacancy.

Travelodge HR director Michelle Luxford said: “Our JuMP programme has got off to a fantastic start. We have been overwhelmed by the response we have received for the scheme since it launched in April, 2011.

“The option to go to university is not a given like it used to be. In today’s economy, many school leavers cannot afford to go into further education and it’s no surprise that there is a nine per cent drop in university applications this year.

“With over a million 16 to 24 year olds unemployed, more companies have to invest into apprenticeship programmes to help these youngsters into the workplace. There is a huge pool of talent out there searching for an opportunity to start a career.

“The budget hotel sector is the engine room of the hotel industry and I am hoping we will find our future business leaders from JuMP.”

Successful candidates will experience practical and vocational learning in hotel management. They will attain a L2 apprenticeship in multi skilled hospitality and a L3 diploma (advanced apprenticeship) in hospitality , supervision and leadership. On completing the programme, apprentices will undertake the Travelodge in house 12-week management development programme before graduating to a management role. During the three-year training the apprentices can expect to earn between £25,000 and £30,000.

The company is seeking applications from 18 to 24 with a minimum of three years’ EU residency with five grade C GCSE passes, including maths and English, plus two grade C A levels, or equivalent UCAS points.

To express an interest in the scheme candidates should register by e-mailing their details to jump@travelodge.co.uk.

Earlier this month, Bradford Lord Mayor, Coun Naveeda Ikram, officially opened Travelodge's new £3.5 million 69-bedroom hotel in Valley Road, near Forster Square Retail Park.

Travelodge West Yorkshire district manager John Schofield said: “We are delighted to have opened a hotel in the heart of Bradford so that we can help attract more business and leisure customers.”