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Accor has created 100 graduate positions across its UK hotel portfolio with the launch of its Inspire Programme, a new graduate scheme designed to “train and nurture the next generation of hospitality professionals”.
It said the programme will provide participants with a “deep understanding” of all facets of the hospitality industry within Accor’s family of luxury, upscale, midscale and economy hotel brands, including world-leading brands Sofitel, Novotel, Mercure and Ibis.
Participants will spend 12-18 months training across the business, with exposure in different departments and the opportunity for specialised areas of focus; from front office to spa, food and beverage to maintenance, finance and accounting to talent and culture.
It added the programme will offer two options for graduates; one offering cross-exposure, rotating between departments and moving into a specialised area; the second option offering specialisation, enabling graduates to gain expertise with a specific focus in one specific department.
For either option – there are four key elements: Inspire Induction, The Inspire Project, The Global Leadership Programme and one week immersion in another hotel, each term supported by a peer ambassador and programme mentor.
Accord added this is a salaried position offering experience at supervisor level (or equivalent), enabling graduates to build leadership foundations through “meaningful experiences”. Successful graduates will have the opportunity to become head of Department or be offered further managerial opportunities on completion of the programme.
Sophie Kilic, senior VP Talent and Culture Operations Northern Europe, said: “Accor’s Inspire Programme aims to unlock the leadership potential of young talents, encouraging future leaders to come as they are and be all they can be. Accor has over 5,300 hotels in 110 countries so offering young professionals valuable leadership experience in a range of areas is critical to the future of hospitality.
“The Inspire programme is designed to attract and engage graduates with a passion for hospitality. We are seeking the hospitality DNA – passion for people, creativity, attention to detail, agility, communications skills – we can teach the rest. With the Inspire programme, you can climb faster than anywhere else with the best tools, resources, and experiences.”
