For Kayleigh Dukes, Talent & Apprenticeship Development Partner at The QHotels Collection, investing in people is one of the most powerful ways to shape the future of hospitality. Through its growing apprenticeship programme and relationship with Umbrella Training, the collection is helping colleagues develop their skills, build confidence and progress their careers.
“Some of our greatest success stories have started with an apprenticeship.”
Apprenticeships play a significant role in supporting personal and professional growth across The QHotels Collection. They give colleagues the opportunity to gain recognised qualifications while developing practical skills they can apply every day in their roles.
“We’ve seen apprentices grow in confidence, take on new responsibilities and progress into leadership positions, while our hotels and central teams benefit from increased capability, fresh ideas and a culture of continuous improvement.”
As well as supporting individual career progression, apprenticeships are an important part of the collection’s wider talent development strategy, helping it attract, engage, develop and retain great people.
Creating opportunities through learning
Kayleigh believes apprenticeships have a vital role to play in the future of hospitality, providing a pathway for people to learn, grow and build rewarding careers while gaining real-world experience.
“The future of hospitality will be shaped by the talent we invest in today, and apprenticeships are one of the most powerful ways to make that happen.”
Hospitality offers opportunities across hotels, food and beverage, events, leisure, sales, people management and much more. Apprenticeships combine practical learning with professional development, helping individuals build their knowledge while making a meaningful contribution to their teams and guests.
“I’d encourage them to go for it. Hospitality is one of the most exciting and diverse industries to build a career in, offering opportunities across hotels, food and beverage, events, leisure, sales, people management and so much more.
“An apprenticeship gives you the chance to earn while you learn, gain recognised qualifications and develop practical skills in a real working environment. More importantly, it can open doors to opportunities you may never have considered.”
The value of the right training partner
For Kayleigh, successful learning and development depends on creating the right environment for people to grow, alongside working with training providers who understand the needs of both learners and employers.
“The best training providers don't simply educate, they become trusted partners in helping people and businesses succeed.”
Kayleigh highlights the importance of training that goes beyond qualifications, with development programmes that support learners throughout their journey and deliver meaningful benefits in the workplace. Working with Umbrella Training supports The QHotels Collection’s commitment to helping colleagues develop their skills and build successful careers in hospitality.
For employers, this means providing access to training, apprenticeships, mentoring, coaching and clear career pathways, while creating a culture where people feel valued, supported and confident to challenge themselves.
Investing in the future of hospitality
Ultimately, Kayleigh believes that investing in people benefits individuals, businesses and the wider industry. By giving colleagues the opportunity to learn and develop, employers can help build stronger teams, encourage progression and prepare the next generation of hospitality talent.
“When organisations invest in their people and give them the tools to succeed, individuals are more likely to grow in confidence, develop new skills and achieve their full potential. Ultimately, investing in people benefits everyone, the individual, the business and the wider industry.”
Through its commitment to apprenticeships and its relationship with Umbrella Training, The QHotels Collection is continuing to invest in the people who will shape the future of hospitality.
