InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has announced it will create nearly 3,000 new jobs across its 275 UK hotels over the next three years, including over 1,100 new jobs this year.
IHG, which operates brands such as Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza, is also launching a new hospitality training Academy in London.
The announcement was welcomed by the UK’s deputy prime minister Nick Clegg, who attended the launch of the IHG Academy programme at the soon-to-open Holiday Inn London Stratford City. The new hotel is one of four IHG hotels in the area that will be creating new jobs, for which students of the IHG Academy programme can apply.
Holiday Inn is the official hotel provider to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and two new hotels will be opened in the local area in time for the Games.
IHG said that the launch of the IHG Academy programme in Newham, close to the Olympic site, is part of a global initiative to invest in the recruitment and training of hotel employees. The company added that it is committed to creating job opportunities in the communities around its 4,480 hotels worldwide.
There are currently 42 IHG Academy programmes worldwide and 5,500 students were involved in the hospitality training globally last year.
Commenting, Clegg said: "It’s fantastic to see IHG growing its UK business and creating 3,000 new jobs. The British service sector is world-beating, and will soon welcome millions of guests to enjoy London 2012. But reaching this gold standard needs investment in people. IHG are leading the way in their sector through a tailored academy programme.
“It’s an added investment that means young people can learn the skills for the industry in a local college, and then start their career in a local hotel. This shows real investment in our future workforce, is a huge boost for jobs across the country, but crucially will see local people benefit from training and work.”
IHG’s chief executive Richard Solomons added: “Hospitality is a great business to be in and working in hotels offers people exciting career paths for the future. We’re pleased to be working with our hotel owners to create jobs and training opportunities in the UK at this time. The IHG Academy programme allows us to join with local education bodies in the UK and around the world to provide real-life skills and enhance employment prospects for local people. IHG benefits by having access to talent from the neighbourhoods near our hotels.”
IHG currently employs over 15,000 people in the UK. Approximately 24 per cent of employees are between the ages of 18 and 24.
IHG franchises, leases, manages or owns over 4,400 hotels and more than 658,000 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories, and has more than 1,100 hotels in its development pipeline. The group expects to recruit around 90,000 new people worldwide across its estate over the next few years.
