Hotel chain Travelodge has announced 51 new positions on its junior management apprenticeship programme (JuMP). The first phase of recruitment will begin at the start of National Apprenticeship Week and supports Travelodge’s growth strategy, which will see it open 14 hotels (1,742 rooms) this year at an investment of £141.5m. 

JuMP – the UK’s first budget hotel management apprenticeship programme was launched in 2011 and this year the first 16 A level students and school leavers will be graduating from the programme.

The programme has taken on 65 apprentices since launching two years ago, meaning this year’s intake is a record amount for the hotel group. So popular is the JuMP scheme that Travelodge received over 4,000 applications for 45 apprenticeship placements in 2012 - which equates to 100 school leavers fighting for one prized position. This year the company expects more than 6,000 applications.

Jon Hendry Pickup, Chief Operating Officer at Travelodge said: “National Apprenticeship Week is a great channel to highlight how an apprenticeship programme can open up a wealth of career opportunities.

“Our nationwide JuMP programme was developed to support our growth strategy and is really helping us create future business leaders. The programme offers school leavers a proven alternative to university as it provides a real job and training in all areas of the business, whilst allowing them to gain valuable, nationally-recognised qualifications and earn a salary.

“We expect demand for our apprenticeship positions to be at an all time high this year, as there is a huge pool of talent out there searching for an opportunity to start a career. I would urge more businesses to invest in an apprenticeship programme, as it is a great platform to upskill young Britons and create a generation of future leaders.”