New College Student Prepare for Hotel Takeover Week

Hospitality students at New College will be putting their skills into practice, when they take over the Holiday Inn Swindon.

For one week from 26th Feb 2018, New College students will be running the hotel independently, as part of InterContinental Hotel Group’s (IHG’s) National Hotel Takeover in partnership with People 1st. The programme is designed to encourage more young people to pursue careers within the hospitality industry.

The opportunity will allow students to demonstrate key decision making skills throughout the week. Under guidance of the hotel management team, students will manage a variety of areas across the hotel – from checking in guests at reception, to housekeeping and room service.

Alan Mulrooney, Travel and Tourism Programme Leader and Lecturer at New College said: “This will provide a valuable and unique opportunity to gain experience within the hospitality sector, developing leadership and management skills.”

During the week, the students will be looking after up to 100 breakfast covers and 60 restaurant covers in the evening, as well as the conference delegates. Hotel team members will shadow students and be on hand to offer advice and guidance. The opportunity to gain practical experience in addition to the theoretical classroom based training is a great way for all learners to build a true understanding of the many areas of hospitality.

Samir Sharma, General Manager of Holiday Inn Swindon said: “We’re really delighted to be participating in the hotel takeover. This is the 18th year this initiative has been running and it’s proven to be a hugely successful recruitment tool. Some of our best team members, even a former General Manager, participated in the takeover as students and we look forward to giving the class of 2018 valuable on the job training and experience.”