Apex Hotels is working with the University of Dundee to develop the next generation of hospitality talent in the City of Discovery.
The Scottish firm said its Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa in Dundee has give members of staff completing an honours degree in business management as part of its graduate apprenticeship programme.
The Dundee hotel, which was recently short-listed for a developing the young workforce award, has been nurturing hospitality talent from grassroots through a work experience with Meldrum, up to honours degree level through graduate apprentices.
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Laura Duffy, Sophie Carmichael, Krisztina Racz (year one), Natalie Harrington (year two) and Lucy Jobson (year three), work four days a week at various roles in the hotel, and spend the final day studying at university, sponsored by Apex City.
The graduate apprenticeship, which is similar to the modern apprenticeship scheme for vocational learners, enables staff to “earn while they learn”, and is helping Apex shape the next generation of hospitality managers in Dundee and across Scotland. Employees spend one day per week at university and work in their role for the rest of the time. They leave with a full honours degree at the end of the four-year period.
“The hospitality industry provides a vast array of challenging and rewarding career opportunities, but like any industry, we must invest in our talent,” said Paul Mooney, general manager at Apex Hotels.
“Our successful collaboration with Dundee and Strathclyde universities through the graduate apprenticeship programme has been hugely beneficial both in providing industry ready skills and opportunities for staff and enabling the business to get the best out of its talent. It’s a win-win situation, and the way to go if we are to ensure our industry continues to maintain the highest of standards.”
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Ross Croall, lead course lecturer on the business management graduate apprenticeship course at the University of Dundee said: "Apex City Quay in Dundee has enrolled a number of their employees onto our course over the years, and we now count multiple Apex graduate apprentices among our alumni. What makes them stand out is their commitment to customer service, which really comes through in their work-based learning reflections.
“We've always found Apex Hotels to be supportive of our apprentices as they progress through the programme, highlighting the company's dedication to employee development. We look forward to building upon this professional relationship going forward."
Wayne Paul, engagement manager on the graduate apprenticeship programme at the university, added: “Working with Paul and the team at the Apex Hotel is always a pleasure. They understand that their employees are the beating heart of their business, and they know what is required to help develop and grow the talent that they have.
“Our relationship has blossomed since it began in 2018, and we are looking forward to welcoming our largest intake from the Apex Hotel in September 2024, with three employees joining our business management graduate apprenticeship course.
“Not only is it great to see the Apex Hotel so invested in developing their current workforce, it is also good to see them looking externally and bringing fresh talent into the business. I look forwarded to seeing the continued development of the Apex Hotel apprentices and to continuing to develop our relationship for many years to come.”
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