UCB helps develop hotel management talent

UCB hosted an induction day for people in the hospitality industry who are working towards a Foundation Degree in Professional Hospitality Operational Management Level 5. This was part of a collaborative programme developed between QHotels and UCB aimed at people working in the hospitality industry who are ascending the management ladder. 

UCB has been instrumental in developing the course, helping to fine-tune the modules and assessments and looking into current issues in the day-to-day management of a hotel and what attributes are important to develop new managers. 

The programme maintains a strong industry focus by making sure its content is up-to-date, relevant to the workplace, and tailored to the type of company the students are working for. This content is then delivered by senior management within the students’ own company. The students are working in 4-star hotels with large conference and leisure facilities in locations such as Stratford, Manchester, and Crewe. 

As a result of this course, students will be able to raise their profile in their own company whilst gaining a qualification which will help their personal and professional development. The information taught on the course is practical knowledge which students can apply to their roles straight away, such as finance, development planning, and how to maximise profitability. 

Sarah Abercrombie, Educational Development Manager at QHotels, said: “We are extremely proud of our QHotels Foundation Degree course, which forms part of our 2 year, Management Trainee Programme. The programme has been developed in partnership with UCB and is bespoke to us. 

“Our Level 4 qualification is now in its 3^rd year and has been extremely successful with a 100% pass rate. Our first cohort of Level 5 students, are now embarking on their Foundation Degree year and are hugely enthusiastic and dedicated to succeed. All have been promoted since they started with us on the Level 4 qualification and they are looking forward furthering their development, both educationally and professionally.”

Initiatives such as this help UCB promote academic activity to people in the hotel industry whilst at the same time engaging and building industry relationships to improve access for full-time students into placements and potential future employment. UCB has also been able to share these developments within the academic community, which is beneficial for the institution’s profile.