Association of Colleges

Hotels are happy for their guests to come and go, but they like their staff to stay. That's why Andrew Mosedale, group training and personnel manager of Brend Hotels, is a firm believer in training.

In an industry with a traditionally high staff turnover, he's noticed a dramatic difference in the number of employees who've remained with the group since The Brend Group began using North Devon College for its training.

"We have reduced staff turnover, year on year, by about five to eight per cent as a direct result," he says. "Since 2001 when we started using North Devon College for our training, staff turnover has gone down and down and down.

"Staff feel that if they have something to aim for in terms of progression, they will see it more as a career than just a way of earning pin money.

"Some staff were sceptical initially and wondered what it was all about. Others welcomed it with open arms, and we've all seen the benefit of it as a company.

"It's improved quality of service, which is essential in this industry, and it's raised standards all round."

Mr Mosedale attributes much of the success to the flexibility of North Devon College and the training it offers through its Workforce Development Group.

The old days of staff having to go to college and sit in a classroom have long gone. Now, the college bring the training to the workplace and help staff work on subjects ranging from food preparation to hospitality and concierge work.

Staff from the group's 11 luxury hotels from Falmouth to Barnstaple all do their NVQs through the college at times that suit them and their employers.

"The training is work-based, it's realistic, it fits around work and the workplace, and people can learn at whatever pace they want to. It's flexi-learning," he says. "We've seen an improvement across the board, really."

For more information see: http://www.fecolleges.co.uk

 

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