Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa is working with the University of Dundee to develop the next generation of hospitality talent. The hotel has five team members currently completing an Honours Degree in Business Management as part of the Graduate Apprenticeship Programme.
The hotel, which was recently shortlisted for a Developing the Young Workforce Award, has been nurturing hospitality talent from the grassroots – through a work experience programme with Meldrum Academy – up to honours degree level through graduate apprentices.
Laura Duffy, Sophie Carmichael, Krisztina Racz (Year 1), Natalie Harrington (Year 2) and Lucy Jobson (Year 3), work four days a week at various roles in the hotel, with the final day spent studying at university – sponsored by Apex City Quay in Dundee.
Similar to the Modern Apprenticeship scheme for vocational learners, the Graduate Apprenticeship Programme enables staff to ‘earn while they learn’, serving to shape the next generation of hospitality managers in Dundee and across Scotland. Employees spend one day per week at University and the remainder of the week working in their role. At the end of four years, they leave with a full honours degree.
Each course has been designed around the needs of the industry, with a varied curriculum being taught alongside work-based learning. This allows apprentices to not only understand and appreciate the theory behind why things are done in the industry, but also experience how they are done through both practical and work-based learning.
Paul Mooney, Apex Hotels General Manager said: “The hospitality industry provides a vast array of challenging and rewarding career opportunities, but like any industry, we must invest in our talent.
Our successful collaboration with the University of Dundee through the Graduate Apprenticeship Programme, has been hugely beneficial both in providing industry ready skills and opportunities for staff and enabling the business to get the best out of its talent. It’s a win, win situation, and the way to go if we are to ensure our industry continues to maintain the highest of standards.”
Ross Croall, Lead Course Lecturer, Business Management Graduate Apprenticeship Course, University of Dundee said: “Apex City Quay in Dundee has enrolled a number of their employees onto our course over the years, and we now count multiple Apex graduate apprentices among our alumni. What makes them stand out is their commitment to customer service, which really comes through in their work-based learning reflections.
“We’ve always found Apex Hotels to be supportive of our apprentices as they progress through the programme, highlighting the company’s dedication to employee development. We look forward to building upon this professional relationship going forward.”
Wayne Paul, Engagement Manager, Graduate Apprenticeship Programme, University of Dundee added: “Working with Paul and the team at the Apex Hotel is always a pleasure. They understand that their employees are the beating heart of their business, and they know what is required to help develop and grow the talent that they have.
“Our relationship has blossomed since it began in 2018, and we are looking forward to welcoming our largest intake from the Apex Hotel in September 2024, with three employees joining our Business Management Graduate Apprenticeship Course.
“Not only is it great to see the Apex Hotel so invested in developing their current workforce, it is also good to see them looking externally and bringing fresh talent into the business. I look forward to seeing the continued development of the Apex Hotel apprentices and to continuing to develop our relationship for many years to come.”
The hospitality industry in Scotland currently employs over 228,000 people and is worth £1.3 billion to the Scottish economy. That equates to 1 in 14 jobs in the food and accommodation service sector.
Seventh Annual Riso Gallo UK & Ireland Young Risotto Chef of the Year 2024 Winner Announced