The Elite Management Trainee Programme is a course created by Elite, which the company are extremely proud of. The focus of the programme is to encourage motivated and enthusiastic hospitality individuals into developing a career in the industry as part of our management team.
Lasting for around 22 months, (with a new intake every year) this programme gives successful applicants valuable experience in hospitality by working across all departments both front and back of house, whilst gaining an understanding of the high standards we expect at each of our four Elite hotels.
Applications closed at the end of last year (end of January) and were reviewed by our recruitment team with initial telephone interviews being arranged before a shortlist of potential candidates were invited to attend an assessment day.
Unlike many other schemes, Elite believes that for staff to gain a total understanding of the five-star customer experience, they must first experience what it is like to stay at one of our properties. Last Wednesday, April 3rd, Elite welcomed 10 prospective candidates, hoping to secure a place on September 2019 intake to an assessment experience like no other.
Held at Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club the candidates were invited to join in an afternoon of fun activities before enjoying dinner in the award-winning Anderida Restaurant (private dining with a menu created by Exec Head Chef Andrew Wilson). Initially meeting in the lounge for introductions, tea and cake before heading out into Ashdown Park’s 186 acre estate for team building activities, the group of 9 were split into two random teams and took part in a range of activities such as: hoops, ski set and a blindfolded driving experience. (and minefield)
Maureen Gribbon, Group Recruitment officer noted: “Many of the applicants mentioned how unusual our assessment centre was, including having dinner and an overnight stay provided. We explained that, by doing this, they had the chance to experience as a customer, the service levels that we expect and the attention to detail given to all guests.
We were impressed by the level of applicants this year and feel that the assessment benefited from the inclusion of activities on the first day – which served as an ice breaker before dinner, but also gave us the opportunity to look at how the applicants worked together.”
To find out more about the Elite Trainee Management Programme click here.
Applications for 2020 will open later in the year. (November)