The Richmond Hotel Liverpool has teamed up with sister company Know Hospitality to announce plans for a new training academy in Liverpool to enhance and grow skills in the hospitality industry.

Know Hospitality is working in partnership with leading hospitality and national training provider Kaplan Skills and Employment to manage and deliver the new internships.

Know Hospitality is part of The Know Collection, which consists of a number of city-based tourism/hospitality businesses. Know Hotels Liverpool Limited (KHLL) was recently appointed as the new management company for The Richmond Hotel Liverpool, a Grade II Listed venue in the former Merseytravel Headquarters located on Hatton Garden off Dale Street.

The Richmond will be the headquarters of the Know Hospitality Academy, and it is from here that students will study and learn all aspects of hospitality from within a working hotel environment.

The programme is aimed at young people aged between 16 and 18, who have a keen interest in starting and developing a career within Liverpool City Region’s thriving hospitality sector. Liverpool City Region’s Visitor Economy now supports over 49,000 jobs and generates income in excess of £3.8billion – of which hospitality plays a vital role.

Each internship lasts 10 weeks, with up to 12 students per intake engaging in a 24-hour per week programme, with each student being assigned a dedicated mentor to offer ongoing support.

The first programme is scheduled to start on Monday, 3rd August. The students will be provided with a uniform and paid expenses, and gaining a place on the programme does not rely on previous academic qualifications.

The first two weeks will be spent studying food hygiene, functional skills in English and Maths, alongside other work-based skills such as improving communications skills; producing a CV; and taking part in mock interviews. The students will also meet industry experts and will be encouraged to build networks with local businesses.

The remainder of the course will see the students take on a trainee role in a chosen aspect of hospitality within the hotel to provide them with first-hand work-based experience and prepare them for a future in the industry. Participating departments include reception, housekeeping, kitchen and restaurant.

Once the course is complete, the students’ achievements will be celebrated with their own graduation dinner hosted by The Richmond Hotel Liverpool. Upon completion, the students will also receive a £100 voucher to be used to buy new interview clothes as a further confidence boost.

The successful students will then be encouraged to begin an apprenticeship within an established hospitality business to further enhance their skills and develop their experience to continue their career journey.

This is the latest development for The Richmond Hotel Liverpool after recently agreeing a new management contract with Know Hotels; and the independent hotel has been chosen as the first North West venue to become part of the new BW Premier Collection partnership from accommodation giants Best Western Great Britain.

Steven Hesketh is Managing Director of The Know Collection, and Treasurer of Liverpool Hoteliers Association. He explained:

“The Know Hospitality Academy will play a vital role in our exciting plans for the future and development of the Know Collection brand, which also includes hotel, restaurant and facilities management, alongside hospitality consultancy.

“Hospitality continues to thrive across Liverpool City Region, with new venues opening on an almost weekly basis. This growing number of hotels, restaurants and bars need staff – so now is the perfect time to launch the training academy as the first opportunity for young people to learn about the industry first-hand.

“Once students have graduated, our goal is for them to start an apprenticeship so they can embark on the next step in their hospitality career. We see this as a way of giving something back to the industry – we may just find the industry leaders of tomorrow.”

Danielle Kershaw, National Traineeships Manager for Kaplan, added:

“Kaplan internships combine real work experience, employability skills and on the job training to help young people get their career off to a flying start.

“We are delighted to be working with The Richmond Hotel Liverpool to launch the Know Hospitality Academy to offer this innovative project based study programme to give young people a real insight into the hospitality industry.

“Kaplan has been delivering traineeships since August 2013 and are seen as the leaders in the field. We work in line with Ofsted expectations to ensure Kaplan endorsed hospitality courses offer students all the skills and support they need during their first experience of the hospitality industry – so the students are in very safe hands.”

Young people interested in becoming a student at the Know Hospitality Academy should contact Kaplan Skills and Employment by telephoning 0151 202 0530 or email danielle.kershaw@kaplan.co.uk