One of Scotland’s leading hotel groups has welcomed a cohort of apprentices into its brand-new Early Careers Programme, aimed at boosting the number of young people choosing to work in the sector.
Crerar Hotel Group – the AA’s Small Hotel Group of the Year – has given 18 candidates aged 16 to 24 the opportunity to complete a two-year course which will see them achieve up to a SCQF Level 8 qualification.
The new initiative – which features a Future Hotelier Apprenticeship and Culinary Apprenticeship – will allow young people to gain valuable on-the-job training and experience, as well as a host of new skills and the foundations for a successful career in hospitality.
The programme is the latest addition to the Crerar Hotels Academy, which strives to provide pathways for young people into the hospitality sector.
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Laura Dunphy, Director of Learning & Development at Crerar Hotel Group, said: “We are thrilled to launch our new Early Careers Programme, which represents our commitment to nurturing the next generation of hospitality leaders.
“These apprenticeships offer a fantastic opportunity for young people to gain hands-on experience and industry-recognised qualifications, setting them on the path to a rewarding career with us and is just the first step in driving this new scheme forward.
“This programme is a fantastic opportunity for young people who are passionate about hospitality to gain the skills and experience they need to thrive in this exciting industry.
“They’ll be working alongside experienced professionals in a supportive environment, and by the end of the two years, they’ll be well-positioned for successful careers within the Crerar Hotel Group.”
The candidates spent two days at Dunkeld House Hotel kickingstarting their apprenticeship journey. There, they learned about their future career paths and participated in team-building activities alongside Chris Wayne-Wills, CEO of Crerar Hotel Group, and Hervé Bernier, General Manager of Dunkeld House Hotel.
Chris Wayne-Wills, CEO of Crerar Hotel Group, said: “Crerar Hotels is continuing to pave the way with industry-leading training initiatives, and our brand-new Early Careers Programme is no exception.
“Through our Crerar Hotels Academy, we have produced a wealth of homegrown talent through successful apprenticeship programmes – in fact, we recently celebrated the promotion of apprenticeship graduate Aedan Doig from Duty Manager to Restaurant Manager at Loch Fyne Hotel & Spa.
“Aedan joins a long list of candidates who have successfully paved careers with the Crerar Hotel Group, including Chris Chew, Hotel Manager at the Glencoe Inn and Claire Gardner, Deputy General Manager at Loch Fyne Hotel & Spa.
“I’m excited to watch our team grow and can’t wait to support the journeys of each of our new apprentices through the exciting early stages of their careers.”
Crerar Hotels is currently recruiting for several vacancies across its portfolio of luxury four—and five-star hotels and inns.
