Crerar Hotels launches debut apprenticeship programme

The Scottish hotel group Crerar Hotels, which has seven properties across the country, has become the first to offer a qualification-based spa therapist training programme.

The initiative has been launched in a bid to boost recruitment following ongoing spa investment across its portfolio, which includes Loch Fyne Hotel & Spa, Isle of Mull Hotel & Spa, Golf View, The Glencoe Inn and Balmoral Arms.

CIBTAC-approved apprenticeships

The Crerar Academy, part of Crerar Hotels, has partnered with Glasgow-based The Academy, making it the only hotel company in Scotland to provide private apprenticeships, training and recognised qualifications with a guaranteed job available at the end of the course.

This scheme is the first private apprenticeship through CIBTAC, (Confederation of International Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology), an internally recognised qualification.

It is also the first time The Academy has worked with a hotel organisation to produce training.

“We are delighted to be launching this apprenticeship scheme with The Academy and hope the scheme will encourage jobseekers to enter into a career in spa, which will provide them with a CIBTAC qualification along with on the job training and experience,” said Kirsty MacCormick, Crerar Hotels group spa manager and European Spa contributor.

“Successful applicants will be able to accelerate through into therapist jobs within a three-month period, which will help immensely with the current recruitment issues we are seeing across the industry.”

A new career in spa

The fast-track programme requires no previous experience in the spa industry, as Crerar is committed to providing full on-site learning and training, making it suitable for both recent school leavers and people considering a career change.

Those looking to kickstart a career in the spa industry can sign up for the three-month apprenticeship programme with no qualifications required.

Spa upgrades

As part of ongoing investment, three spas within Crerar Hotels’ collection have been fully upgraded including Driftwood Spa at Isle of Mull Hotel & Spa, Coast Spa at Golf View Hotel & Spa and Shore Spa at Loch Fyne Hotel & Spa as part of a £2.6 million refurbishment project.

Kate Paterson, spa manager at Coast Spa, said: “This is an exciting era for spa teams across our business. The apprenticeship programme – which we expect will to initially welcome eight trainees – offers the choice of Level Two Facial and Level Three Massage with a mix of remote theory learning, on-site learning at an allocated spa and CIBTAC exam once training is complete.

“Those who successfully complete the course and pass the final exam will join Crerar Hotels at one of its five spas as a permanent employee.”