I’m not waiting for graduation to find recruits
YESTERDAY’S unemployment figures show that over 1m 16-24 year olds are still unemployed. With university fees rising and continued uncertainty in the global economy, how are we going to be able to help our young people enter the workforce and begin their careers in meaningful roles?
I believe there is a simple solution companies can introduce which will not only help combat youth unemployment but will also provide real benefits for their business – a management apprenticeship programme.
For decades bosses have hired the best graduate talent via the annual milk rounds and graduate programmes. But why not explore the raw talent prior to university and identify those you can train, develop and turn into future leaders? Research shows that there are clear benefits to apprenticeships across the whole economy – increased competitiveness, productivity and reduced labour turnover.
I know this solution can work because I have first hand experience. In April 2011, I launched the UK’s first budget hotel management apprenticeship programme for school leavers. The scheme is titled JuMP (Junior Management Programme) and it’s a fast track route into management, providing A-level students (18+) with a real alternative to going to university. On this programme, school leavers can continue their education, obtain work experience, receive a salary and become a Travelodge hotel manager by the age of 21.
The first JuMP class of 35 apprentices started in September 2011 and we are currently recruiting for a further 45 young people to start in April 2012. In the first few weeks of advertising these roles, we received over 3,000 CVs from all corners of the UK. We will be recruiting for a further 75 positions in late spring this year.
I have been overwhelmed by the calibre of JuMP applicants we have received: these guys are future senior management and director material. They have a real hunger to learn and are highly motivated to succeed in the business.
I am so confident that our JuMP programme will provide a pipeline of new management talent that I have set a target that fifty per cent of our new hotels will be managed by our Travelodge apprentices by 2015.
Ambitious young adults want to work in a growth sector brimming with opportunity. As the Prime Minister has identified, leisure and tourism is a powerhouse of the UK economy and businesses in the industry are well placed to make a real difference to the youth unemployment crisis.
There is a huge pool of talent out there that just needs an opportunity. I would strongly urge leaders from the leisure and tourism sector to look into starting a similar programme within their businesses.
There has never been a better time for companies to invest into a management apprenticeship programme. Let’s give today’s young adults a career they can be proud of and breathe some life back into our economy.
Guy Parsons is the chief executive of Travelodge.