In March 2012, Whitbread is launching three Food and Beverage Skills Academies across the UK. These Academies, which has seen over £1million investment, will offer the very best in specialist training and development for restaurant and kitchen managers.
In a year when the global spotlight will be shining on the UK with the Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics the UK’s leading hospitality company, Whitbread, will be ensuring that all of the 35,000 team members are ready to serve the 11million customers expected in its hotels and restaurants this summer.
In a sector where many people are recruited with little or no qualifications, Whitbread’s Skills Academies will provide comprehensive courses ranging from food product information, food preparation and cooking through to meal presentation and customer service.*
Over £1million has been invested in the three sites at Hockley Heath, Manchester and Swindon and Whitbread’s vision is that the new Skills Academies will reposition the hospitality industry as an employer of choice, providing significant job creation and career development.
Andy Harrison, CEO of Whitbread plc said “Whitbread is driven by our customers” needs on every occasion. At the start of 2011, we had 2,000 trained chefs, kitchen and restaurant managers. By December 2011, we had trained a further 7,500 team members to meet our customers’ needs, providing great quality food and drink and the best customer service, and we hope 2012 will be even better.”