IHG launches free online Skills Academy

IHG Hotels & Resorts evolves flagship IHG Academy programme with new digital offering 

Since 2004, IHG Academy has been offering people valuable work experience and life skills through hotel internships and placements globally, with more than 80,000 people positively impacted in the past eight years alone.

To broaden its reach further, IHG Academy has today evolved with the launch of a best-in-class online learning platform called IHG Skills Academy, which will provide a space for IHG and like-minded partners to offer free online education, courses and opportunities for people looking to build their confidence and get employment ready. The new digital platform will enhance IHG Academy’s contribution to the company’s Journey to Tomorrow responsible business plans, with a focus on improving the lives of 30 million people by 2030.

Yasmin Diamond, EVP Corporate Affairs, IHG commented

“With 6,000 IHG hotels in over 100 countries, we’re proud to be at the heart of so many communities and recognise the responsibility and opportunity we have to make a difference. Our IHG Academy programme has been invaluable in connecting our hotels with their communities, providing thousands of jobs and opportunities over more than 15 years. As we continue to grow our business, we’re committed to making a difference on an even larger scale and with the help of our incredible partners, IHG Skills Academy will help bring to life our IHG Academy in a new digital format.” 

Working with its partner, Learning Pool, and leading national and international organisations including the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, St. Mungo’s, Barnardo’s and Only A Pavement Away, IHG aims to support hundreds of thousands of people over the next decade who face barriers to education and training.

Adam Rees, Service Director, St. Mungo’s said

“We worked closely with IHG during the Covid-19 pandemic to accommodate over 2,000 people affected by homelessness and we’re thrilled to extend our collaboration in this transformative way. Providing our clients with access to learning through the IHG Academy will help us work towards our vision of everyone having a place to call home and the chance to fulfil their hopes and ambitions, with skills training and employment support underpinning their long-term recovery from homelessness.”

The IHG Skills Academy platform is now live in the UK and will roll out across the rest of the world in multiple languages throughout 2022, with the addition of localised partners and even more learning content. To support a sustainable pipeline of talent for the hospitality industry, new features are already being developed in the platform, which will enable IHG to tailor and fast-track the recruitment process for participants who have completed certain modules. IHG is also working with its business and supply chain partners to explore online and in-person opportunities for participants beyond the hospitality industry.