Olympics recruitment
The race is on to upskill the workforce at a hotel that has recruited 50% of its staff from the long-term unemployed in Southwark, London before the 2012 Olympics.
The Travelodge hotel, working with Job Centre Plus, recruited from London’s most needy groups including single parents.
The hotel, opened by skills minister, David Lammy MP, demonstrated its first graduate programme and the UK’s first Foundation Degree in Hospitality, Budget Hotel and Retail Management.
Grant Hearn, chief executive at Travelodge, said: “There is no doubt that if we are to achieve a lasting tourism legacy following the Olympics, our people will have to provide world class service. Our Olympic skills and employment programme will attract new people to our industry and provide them with the right attributes to run a modern tourism business like ours.
