Travelodge has announced that its first class of junior management apprentices have all graduated and joined the company’s management team as hotel managers.
The budget hotelier launched the UK’s first budget hotel management apprenticeship programme for school leavers in April 2011. The bespoke scheme was developed in support of the Chancellor’s appeal for British companies to generate more high value apprenticeship placements in a bid to help the one million out of work youngsters into the workplace.
JuMP success and growth
Travelodge’s ‘class of 2011’ have successfully completed the two-year scheme, called JuMP (Junior Management Programme), which has been designed to provide A-level students (18+) with a real alternative to going to university. On this programme school leavers continue their education, obtain work experience, receive a salary, and become a manager by the age of 21.
The programme has enjoyed enormous success since it was launched and over 50 apprentices are currently enrolled on the scheme throughout the UK. So popular is the scheme that Travelodge received over 6,000 applications for 51 placements this year – which equates to more than 115 school leavers fighting for each prized position.
As well as receiving a salary throughout the programme, the graduates have been able to continue their education – attaining a Level Two Apprenticeship in Multi Skilled Hospitality and a Level Three Diploma (Advanced Apprenticeship) in Hospitality Supervision & Leadership.
They have also gained practical, vocational learning in hotel management, retail, operations, marketing and customer service, equipping them with the skills to become a Travelodge hotel manager. This supports the company’s ‘homegrown’ strategy, a target to ensure that 75% of all hotel management appointments are made internally.
Jon Hendry Pickup, Chief Operating Officer for Travelodge said: “We are extremely proud to see 17 JuMP apprentices graduate from the UK’s first hotel management apprenticeship programme. I expect them to be the first of many, as the calibre of our intake has been very high. They are a great example to other young people, demonstrating that you can have a successful career without going to university.
“I am sure that today is a landmark moment for our apprentices, working in a successful company and industry. I am confident that we will see them climb the career ladder at Travelodge.”
In 2014, Travelodge expects to recruit 80 JuMP apprentices.
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