Travelodge launches new dual-locations student recruitment programme

Travelodge has launched a new dual-locations student recruitment programme that provides a role at a Travelodge close to the student’s university and in their hometown during the holiday periods.

The group is offering over 400 positions to students – at a time when 40% of UK-based students are looking for work- to help make ends meet.

With over 580 hotels across the country, there is a Travelodge close to all “major” UK universities giving students easy access to work close to their place of study during term-time and now the ability to transfer to a Travelodge hotel close to home during the academic holidays.

Available positions include reception team member, bar cafe team member, housekeeping team member and linen porter.

To support its new student recruitment programme, Travelodge, commissioned a study with 500 UK students to seek how they are managing to study in the current financial crisis.

Key findings revealed that 85% of students reported that working is a necessity in order to get through university. Over half (55%) of students across the UK are currently working to make ends meet whilst studying. Whilst 40% are seeking employment.

The study also revealed that on average, students are spending over £19,000 to study at university (£9,250 for tuition fees and £10,000 to cover the cost of living). This equates to current monthly outgoings on living expenses such as rent, utility bills, groceries, and additional studying materials, of £635.

Additionally, 57% of students are working a minimum of 16 hours per week to cover the cost of their expenses.
At Travelodge, students will have the opportunity to earn around £10,000 per annum working an 18.5-hour week – with the programme offering students additional development opportunities to build their professional experience or future career in the hospitality industry. This includes access to Travelodge’s in-house management development programme – Aspire – and provision of a ‘work buddy’ to support them in their role.

Katharine Gourley, director of people operations at Travelodge, said: “In addition to the 400 jobs targeting students, Travelodge is also looking to fill a further 75 roles across the business. These positions include 50 hotel management positions across hotel managers and assistant hotel managers, supervisors, housekeeping supervisors, and bar cafe supervisors; alongside five roles in the company’s in-house maintenance department for Engineers. There are also 20 roles at the group’s head office in Thame across Revenue, Procurement, IT, Legal, Finance and Customer Services.”