An invitation to upskill with IHG’s Future Skills Learning and Development programmes

IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has launched new Future Skills Learning and Development programmes, to support its UK based corporate colleagues as the hospitality industry continues its recovery.

The Future Skills Learning and Development initiative will enable colleagues across its UK-based corporate business to develop their skills in in-demand areas such as data analytics, while providing opportunities to progress into leadership roles.

The Future Skills programmes will deliver learning and development opportunities across the UK business and is open to all corporate colleagues in the head offices based there. The learning will be delivered by Multiverse, an organisation with a mission to provide an outstanding alternative to higher education and traditional corporate learning focused on high-quality education and learning. This focuses on providing valuable qualifications which are recognised by organisations including CMI, Grant Thornton and General Assembly among others.

Among the Future Skills Learning and Development programme’s first cohort of 60 delegates, four have been enrolled on the degree-level Advanced Data Fellowship. On the 39-month programme, apprentices will learn to distil data using Python, a data and web development programme, and use algorithms to share greater insight on a range of topics, for the benefit of future performance planning. Apprentices are also studying areas such as Project Management and People Leadership - and 26 apprentices are training to become data specialists.

Data and analysis is the initial focus within the Future Skills programmes. According to research by Accenture(opens new window), 74% of respondents reported feeling overwhelmed when working with data. This lack of confidence and skills costs UK businesses a staggering £10 billion a year in lost productivity. By focussing on this core skill development, the Future Skills programmes is creating leadership opportunities within data development and beyond.

Claire Hope, Vice President HR, Global Corporate Functions at IHG Hotels & Resorts commented: “We are delighted to introduce the Future Skills programme to our corporate teams. Building on a culture of investing in the great talent we have at IHG Hotels & Resorts, our aim is to encourage colleagues to grow their careers in an environment where they are supported to be at their best.

"The learning provided by Multiverse and the Future Skills programme not only supports our culture of inclusion, but also helps us take an important step on our Journey to Tomorrow responsible business action plan through supporting 60 apprentices to build their skills, two thirds of whom are female.

Multiverse matches talented individuals with careers and delivers world-class learning in a wide range of qualifications in leadership, digital and technology. Apprentices benefit from one-to-one coaching with an industry expert and are supported by a thriving community with events, socials, mentoring and leadership programmes designed to exceed the best of the university experience.

Jeremy Duggan, president at Multiverse, said: "IHG Future Skills programme is creating opportunities for a diverse group of staff within the business to develop the skills of tomorrow in areas like data and project management. This investment - which comes via the Apprenticeship Levy - will support not just the business, but the people within it to have a world-class learning opportunity.

"Apprentices benefit from one-to-one coaching with an industry expert and are supported by a thriving community with events, socials, mentoring and leadership programmes designed to exceed the best of the university experience."