InterContinental Hotels Group has partnered with the William Angliss Institute and Box Hill Institute to create the InterContinental Hotels Group Academy in China. Due to launch in September through Shanghai University’s Advanced Polytechnic College prior to a staged rollout through Greater China, the Academy has been developed to address the Asia Pacific hotel industry’s growing demand for trained talent.

It will begin by offering a two-year Advanced Certification programme, combining theoretical instruction from industry academics and InterContinental Hotels Group executives with internships at the Group’s hotels.

The Academy will also offer a series of four- to eight-week certification programmes on specific areas of hotel operations such as front office, housekeeping and food and beverage functions. All graduates will receive internationally-recognised certificates from the William Angliss Institute and will be offered employment at properties managed by InterContinental Hotels Group.

A. Patrick Imbardelli, chief executive, InterContinental Hotels Group Asia Pacific, said: “China is one of the most important growth markets for InterContinental Hotels Group worldwide. Since we first established our presence here in the early 1980s, we have been a champion of talent development and have nurtured scores of talented industry professionals and leaders.
“Establishing the InterContinental Hotels Group Academy is in line with our commitment to offering great career opportunities for local talent so they can take on senior leadership roles in the future. This will also ensure that we will have a steady pool of well-trained talent for our industry in the years to come.”

Contributing to the content of the programmes from an international perspective and awarding the certifications is the William Angliss Institute of TAFE, the largest specialist centre for hospitality, tourism and culinary arts in Australia. David Riley, the institute’s chief executive officer, added: “Our qualifications are respected worldwide and we are excited to be introducing our world-renowned curriculum to the Chinese market and awarding the certifications. These courses will appeal to hospitality professionals from different levels and will be exceptionally popular given their holistic learning approach and practical exposure opportunities with InterContinental Hotels Group.”

John Maddock, chief executive officer, Box Hill Institute, added: “The introduction of the InterContinental Hotels Group Academy is an important and exciting venture and a significant step towards grooming the next generation of home grown hotel managers. As one of Australia’s premier technical and further education institutions, we are proud to continue our strong association with our educational and industry partners in providing quality specialist training to the Chinese hospitality industry.”

Tang Sheng Jiang, Dean of the Shanghai University Advanced Polytechnic College, said: “Integrating educational learning with industry exposure is key to successful vocational training and we are honoured to partner InterContinental Hotels Group and the Australian institutions to conduct this series of innovative training programmes in China. This unique collaboration opens a new chapter in tourism and hospitality education in China and will highlight the importance of quality training and talent development in China’s rapidly-growing hospitality industry.”
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