Travelodge Aspire Level 3 & Level 4 Guide

TRAVELODGE ASPIRE LEVEL 3 & 4 FOR ASSISTANT HOTEL MANAGERS & HOTEL MANAGERS In partnership with Lifetime Training

CONTENTS 3 4 Introducing Aspire Level 3 & 4 5 Why take part? 6 Aspire Development Pathway 8 Aspire Level 3 10 Aspire Level 4 11 Training delivery 12 Achieving your apprenticeship 13 Off-The-Job Training 14 The tools to support you 15 Maths and English qualifications 16 Roles and responsibilities 17 Your commitment How can I apply? 2

INTRODUCING THE TRAVELODGE ASPIRE LEVEL 3 & 4 DEVELOPING OUR MANAGERS WHAT IS AN APPRENTICESHIP? At Travelodge, people are the most important Apprenticeships are nationally recognised part of our business and we are passionate work-based training programmes that develop about giving everyone the environment and role-relevant skills, knowledge and behaviours. tools they need to be the best they can be. Apprenticeships combine learning in the We’re excited to introduce two new Aspire workplace with independent self-study, programmes at Level 3 and Level 4, aimed known as ‘off-the-job training’ which is all at supporting the development of our completed during your working hours. AHMs and HMs. An apprenticeship takes anywhere between Managers who complete Aspire Level 3 or 12-18 months to complete, however Level 4 will achieve a nationally recognised and this will depend on the course. industry endorsed apprenticeship in hospitality. These apprenticeships provide a fantastic It’s a common myth that apprenticeships are opportunity to develop essential leadership, for school or college leavers starting out in management and operational knowledge, skills their career, but apprenticeships are highly and behaviours - supporting you to grow as a regarded development programmes that manager and reach your full potential with us. support a wide range of roles and levels. We have partnered with Lifetime, an award-winning training provider to deliver Aspire Level 3 and 4. This guide will explain everything you need to know about the these Aspire programmes and details of how you can get started. 3

WHY TAKE PART? It is widely recognised that work-based development is the most effective way to gain new skills and behaviours, but there are a number of benefits to completing an Aspire Level 3 or 4 programme. ACHIEVE YOUR FLEXIBLE CAREER AMBITIONS ONE-TO-ONE TRAINING Build essential management Learn at your own pace with expert capabilities within your role to maximise one-to-one training, scheduled around your potential and demonstrate your your working patterns and supported commitment to grow and progress. by a variety of learning methods. NATIONALLY RECOGNISED EARN AS YOU LEARN Receive a nationally recognised All training is completed during work and industry endorsed certificate hours and funded by Travelodge. on completion. 4

ASPIRE DEVELOPMENT PATHWAY Level 1 Level 2 What’s covered: What’s covered: • Confidence • Communication • Resilience • Stepping up to Management • Engaging and • Teamwork Motivating a Team Duration: Duration: 9 months 9 months Level 3 Level 4 What’s covered: What’s covered: • Customer • Leadership and Diversity • Business Operations • Management and • Leadership Leadership Styles • Management Skills • Communication and Technology • Business Legislation • Customer Service, Service Failure and Procedures and Feedback • People Roles and • Recruit, Retain and Develop a Team • Performance and Risk Management Responsibilities • Strategy, Operating Procedures and • People Performance Contingency Plans Management • Products and Marketing • Vision and Financial Management Duration: • Change Management 15-18 months Duration: 16-19 months 5

ASPIRE LEVEL 3 HOSPITALITY SUPERVISOR FOR ASSISTANT HOTEL MANAGERS OR LODGE MANAGERS PROGRAMME OVERVIEW This is an excellent opportunity to develop expertise in hospitality and hotel operations, understanding the impact of your role on the success of the wider business. On completion of this programme, you will be able to demonstrate your capabilities to manage and motivate a team, whilst working under pressure to deliver excellent customer service. DURATION 15 months plus additional End-point Assessment period WHAT’S COVERED? Module 4: Management Skills Module 1: Customer • Management Skills and Theories • Customer Profiles • Problem Solving and Decision Making • Customer Service and Loyalty • Delegation • Products and Services • Business Demographics • Brand Standards Module 5: Business Legislation and Procedures • Sales and Marketing • Legislation and Codes of Practice • Market Share Module 2: Business Operations in the Hospitality Industry • Vision, Values and Business Objectives • Legislative Responsibilities • Technology in the Hospitality Industry • Organisational Procedures • Minimise Waste and Energy • Reporting Procedures • Financial Targets and KPI’s • Business Risks and Hazard Analysis Module 3: Leadership Module 6: People Roles and Responsibilities • Leadership Styles • Communication • Leadership Models and Theories • Active Listening and Constructive Feedback • Teamwork and Building Trust • Role and Responsibilities • Motivating the Team • Workforce Planning and Trends • Promoting Equality and Diversity 6

Module 7: People Performance Management End-point Assessment: • Setting Goals and Meeting • 2 hour multiple choice test Business Objectives • 4 hour practical observation • Dealing with Performance in the workplace • Challenging Conversations • Submission of a Business Project (2,000-5,000 words). Focused on an • Conflict within a Team opportunity/challenge/idea which will drive an improvement to the In addition to the core modules, you business area you operate in will select one additional learning module, specific to your role: • Formal 30 minute presentation of the Business Project to an independent • Option 1: Front Office End-point Assessor with a question and answer session • Option 2: Housekeeping • 90 minute professional discussion. • Option 3: Food & Beverage A structured meeting led by an End-point Assessor Managers in Scotland & Wales will complete the equivalent Level 3 apprenticeship as recognised in your home nation. 7

ASPIRE LEVEL 4 HOSPITALITY MANAGER FOR HOTEL MANAGERS PROGRAMME OVERVIEW This programme will support you to develop a greater understanding of people management principles, what’s required to achieve our business objectives and develop the skills and confidence needed to lead within our business. On completion of this programme you will be able to demonstrate you are highly effective leader with a talent for management and ensuring a level of responsibility and accountability for fulfilling the business vision and objectives. DURATION 16 months plus additional End-point Assessment period WHAT’S COVERED? Module 4: Customer Service, Service Failure Module 1: Leadership, Diversity and Inclusivity and Feedback • Personal Development • My Business Area • Customer Legislation • Managing a Diverse Team • Cultural Awareness • Customer Profiles • Equality Laws and Regulations Module 2: Management and Leadership Styles • Customer Satisfaction • Customer Feedback • Service Failure Module 5: Service Sales, Productivity Data and Sales • Management Skills • Management Systems • Motivate and Inspire Others • Analyse Management Systems • Leadership Styles • Sales Forecasting Module 3: Communication and • Sales Forecasting Assignment Business Technology Module 6: Recruit, Retain and Develop a Team • Effective Communication • Recruitment and Selection • Communication Methods and Feedback • Retention and Engagement • Technology in your Business • Succession Planning • Technology and Legislation Guidance • Performance Management 8

Module 7: Performance and Risk Management Module 11: Change Management • People Legislation • Performance Conversations • Negotiation and Consultation • Understand Risk Management • Risk Management • Continuous Improvement Module 8: Strategy, Operating Procedures and Contingency Plans • Communicating Change • Business Performance Strategy • Standard Operating Procedures • Monitoring the Effects of Change • Local and National Positioning • Contingency Plans In addition to the core modules, you • Analyse and Evaluate Your Business will select one additional learning Module 9: Products and Marketing module, specific to your role: • Product and Marketing Legislation • Marketing Opportunities • Option 1: Front Office • Drive and Influence the Brand Standard Module 10: Vision and Financial Management • Option 2: Housekeeping • Financial Management • Financial Data • Option 3: Food & Beverage • Accountability • Vision, Mission, Strategies and Objectives End-point Assessment: • 90 minute multiple choice test • Submission of a Business Project (9,000 words). Focused on an opportunity/ challenge/idea which will drive an improvement to your business • 90 minute professional discussion. A structured meeting led by an End-point Assessor. Hotel Managers in Scotland & Wales will complete the equivalent Level 4 apprenticeship as recognised in your home nation. 9

TRAINING DELIVERY HOW IT WORKS Throughout your programme, you will receive one-to-one support from a specialist Learning Coach from Lifetime and complete learning activities and work-based development, known as ‘off-the-job’ training (see page 12) - all during your working hours. Your Learning Coach will deliver monthly training sessions with you. These take place during work hours at a time that suits you. Sessions will be held remotely for 1-2 hours, with face-to-face visits at work as required. In between sessions, you will complete your independent learning and development activities set by your Learning Coach. This ensures you are embedding all your learning within your role. Your Line Manager will need to support you to allocate time for you to complete your learning and training during working hours. Line Managers will also have regular communication with the Learning Coach to review your progress and offer any support required. Your Learning Coach will provide support via email or phone in between sessions. In addition to the Learning Coaches, Lifetime has a team of specialist Learning Support Tutors to help those who may require extra support across a range of learning needs. 10

ACHIEVING YOUR APPRENTICESHIP END-POINT ASSESSMENT Your apprenticeship will be achieved on passing an End-point Assessment (EPA). This is your opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and behaviours you have developed to an Independent Assessor. ON-PROGRAMME TRAINING PHASE: Throughout the programme you will You will then enter EPA following a ‘Gateway have the opportunity to complete regular Discussion’ between you, your Line practice assessment activities with your Learning Coach and a full mock assessment Manager and Learning Coach to determine whether you are ready for assessment. at the end of your training period. END-POINT ASSESSMENT: Your End-point Assessment It then includes 3-4 types The Independent Assessor phase begins with a of assessment method, will deliver your final grade, Planning Meeting (phone specific to each apprenticeship, which could be a pass call) with you, your Line which will be scheduled with or distinction. If you do Manager and the End-point an Independent Assessor over not pass an assessment Assessment organisation. a typical period of 3 months. first time, you will receive more training and the opportunity to take it again. If you are completing an Aspire Level 3 or Level 4 in Scotland or Wales there is no overall End-point Assessment. Your apprenticeship will be achieved upon completion of all the knowledge and competency-based units, which are continually evaluated and assessed throughout the programme by your Learning Coach. 11

OFF-THE-JOB Off-the-job training does not mean time TRAINING away from the workplace and is best viewed as ‘dedicated development time’. If you are completing a Level 3 or Level 4 Aspire programme, you are required to spend 20% EXAMPLES OF of working hours committed to learning and OFF-THE-JOB INCLUDE: development, known as ‘off-the-job training’. ‘OFF-THE-JOB’ TRAINING: • Shadowing experienced managers or colleagues and Is any learning or training reflecting on your learning completed outside of your normal • Role specific training day-to-day working duties during work hours Supports your development and • Completing monthly online leads towards the achievement learning in Aptem of the programme • Work based-projects, research and assignments Is in place to ensure you are supported throughout your • Handling new challenges by training and have opportunities to putting your new skills and embed learning into your role knowledge into practice • Workplace activities that stretch you such as taking on a new responsibility. For instance: • Leading or planning a team or District meeting • Spending time learning a new area of the business • Work shadow or receive training from a manager or colleague on how to plan, conduct, manage and evaluate a formal meeting All off-the-job activities will be guided by your Lifetime Learning Coach. 12

THE TOOLS TO SUPPORT YOU APTEM FOR YOUR LINE MANAGER Aptem is Lifetime’s online learning • Both you and your Line Manager platform used to deliver and track your will have access to this platform learning throughout the course. • Aptem provides a real-time view of • All your learning is set out into manageable your progress so Line Managers can monthly learning tasks and activities see exactly how you are progressing, meaning they can support you more • Hosts a variety of interactive resources and throughout your development journey activities to suit different learning styles • Helpful dashboard to view your progress, track your off-the-job hours and highlight any upcoming or overdue learning activities • Hosts virtual webinars and online classrooms relevant to your programme • Send and receive messages from your Learning Coach and view your scheduled training sessions • Upload and store all completed work in one safe place 13

MATHS AND ENGLISH QUALIFICATIONS Maths and English form the basis of many of our daily tasks and developing these skills can give you more confidence in your role. Whilst completing your Aspire Level 3 or Level 4, you will also be expected to achieve qualifications in Maths and English if you don’t already have them. These are known as Functional Skills – the ‘industry transferable skills’ equivalent to holding the relevant GCSE levels. If you already hold a grade A*-C/ 9-4 GCSE in Maths and English (or equivalent*), you will not be required to complete Functional Skills, but you will need to evidence this prior to enrolment. If you do not hold a grade A*-C/ 9-4 GCSE in Maths and English, Lifetime will support you to achieve Functional Skills Level 2 alongside the completion of your Aspire programme. *Some international qualifications in Maths and English can also be accepted. These can be reviewed prior to enrolment. If you are completing Aspire Level 3 or Level 4 in Scotland or Wales, you will complete the Functional Skills equivalent, known as Core Skills in Scotland and Essential Skills in Wales. 14

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES SUPPORTING YOU Successful completion of the Aspire programme is a team effort; you, your Line Manager and Learning Coach all have a part to play. By offering you these development opportunities, Travelodge is making a commitment to give you the support needed to succeed, but you must also be prepared for the challenge and ready to commit to your own development. SUPPORT FROM YOUR SUPPORT FROM YOUR LINE MANAGER LEARNING COACH You will have the one-to-one support of Your manager (or nominated mentor) a specialist Learning Coach who will be will play an important part in your on hand to guide you every step of the development journey. Lifetime will support way on your Aspire learning journey. the delivery of the ‘knowledge’ training as well as coaching and support for your Your Learning Coach will: assessment, whilst your manager will be required to support your development Schedule and deliver regular of ‘skills’ and ‘behaviours’ on-the-job. learning sessions, check off-the-job training, review progress and agree Your Line Manager will need to: new learning actions with you Be present for progress review sessions with you and your Learning Maintain regular contact with Coach (every 3 months) to understand you via phone and email your development areas and provide Provide regular feedback on any additional support needed your work and progress Ensure you have time during work hours to complete independent and work-based learning activities Provide input to your ‘skills radar’, Deal with enquiries and help supporting you to develop the required quickly with any problems skills and behaviours for the programme Use Aptem to track your progress, Help to prepare you sign-off progress reviews and for your assessments enrolment documentation 15

YOUR COMMITMENT Aspire Level 3 and Level 4 programmes take a minimum of 15-18 months to complete. You must therefore be prepared to commit to the full duration of the programme, even if promoted during that term. You will also be expected to: Sign a learning agreement at the Commit to completing independent 1 start of the programme to outline 4 and work-based learning activities your commitment (this will also within agreed timescales be signed by your Line Manager) Be motivated to learn, develop Upload all completed work 2 and implement new skills 5 to Aptem, logging your knowledge and behaviours off-the-job hours 3 Attend all scheduled Give at least 48 hours notice to learning sessions 6 postpone or cancel a session with your Learning Coach 16

HOW CAN I APPLY? Aspire Level 3 and 4 are for Assistant Hotel Managers and Hotel Managers. Before you apply, there are some rules around who can be put forward. You will: Have been an EEA/ UK resident for a minimum of three years Be working at least 16 hours per week Not currently be in any other form of education or training such as another apprenticeship, college or university Not already have a qualification at the same level or above in Hospitality Have passed your probation Be at a suitable level in maths & English (assessed prior to enrolment) WHERE TO FIND HELP If you have any questions regarding the Aspire programmes, please contact your HR Business Partner. 17