As the new academic term begins, research from the world’s biggest hotel operator, Accor, has shown that 30 percent of parents would prefer their children to go straight into employment after leaving school. Meanwhile seven in ten people worry that their child will struggle to find employment after university.
The study supports growing evidence that many people no longer consider university as the only option for further studies. Last year alone, the quarterly Apprenticeship Index revealed a 24 percent increase in apprenticeship vacancies, whilst online applications for apprentice positions leapt by 43 percent.
In the survey carried out on behalf of Accor, the majority of people could see the benefits which joining an apprenticeship scheme would bring. Of those questioned, 94 percent of people agreed that people were better suited to learning on the job. In addition, seven out of ten people agreed that relevant work experience is more valuable than unrelated study.
Accor has been providing learning and development programmes for young people through its Académie Accor since 1985. Since 2012, Accor has invested around £2.5 million in training and development in the UK, providing apprenticeship schemes for 200 young people.
Thomas Dubaere, Managing Director, Accor UK & Ireland said: “There are many routes into a career and whilst university is one of these routes, there are also many alternatives. Apprenticeship schemes equip people with the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to flourish in their chosen career. At Accor, we currently employ over 5,400 people across over 208 hotels in the UK and our apprenticeship scheme is a great way for young people to begin their career in hospitality. The transition from the classroom to the working world isn’t always easy for students, but our apprenticeships provide a fantastic opportunity to receive first class training on the job, with real career prospects at the end of the scheme.”
As one of the world’s top hospitality schools, Académie Accor provides a great opportunity for young people to come straight out of school and begin a career in a thriving hospitality and tourism sector which employs two million people in the UK.
For more information about Accor’s recruitment and careers visit: http://www.accor.com/en/recruitment-and-careers.html
