Delhi, India, 29 May 2013: InterContinental Hotels Group IHG today announced a formal partnership with the Institute for International Management and Technology (IIMT) which expands IHG?s existing IHG Academy programme across India.
India’s workforce, those between 15 and 64, is expected to rise to 67 percent in 2020 and the challenge is to turn those people into an employable workforce. IHG wants to contribute to the education of the future generation in India through its IHG Academy programme.
Douglas Martell, Vice President, Operations, South West Asia, IHG said: ?By partnering with IIMT we are able to contribute and support the next generation of hospitality leaders by being actively involved in the education process for the start.
?During the next three to five years we will need 10,000 new colleagues to staff the hotels in our development pipeline. The IHG Academy programme, across India, gives us a competitive advantage creating a pool of trained, engaged, motivated people to work in our hotels and deliver better service for our guests.?
IIMT will benefit from the partnership through a range of initiatives including IHG guest lecturers and mentors on campus; work experience placements for their students at IHG hotels; sponsorship of campus facilities as well as the opportunity to connect students with a range of employment options when they are finishing their studies.
Dr Vinnie Jauhari, Director, Institute of International Management and Technology (IIMT)?said: ?Our reputation in the field of hospitality management is maintained by the success and achievements of our alumni. This partnership with IHG provides our students will unrivaled opportunities during their studies through mentorships and work experience and at the end of their courses when IHG is looking for its next generation of talent. The support and exposure at IHG would enable IIMT students to be prepared for global careers.?
One of Britain?s leading universities renowned for its hospitality management programme, Oxford Brookes University, works alongside IIMT to deliver its degree courses and executive training and is already part of the IHG Academy programme at its campus in Oxford, England.
The 7th IHG Academy, IIMT based in Gurgaon, joins the six Academy programmes already operating across the country. The IHG Academy was developed to attract and foster talent in the hospitality industry by providing real-life skills and enhancing employment opportunities. It is global initiative and has more than 180 programmes running around the world.