Recruitment, training and staff development are all foundation stones of our ethos here at English Lakes Hotels. Products and Training Manager, Annabel Berry, explains how the group is investing in more specific training for our spa therapists.
Annabel Berry, Product and Training Manager at The Spa at Low Wood Bay
Industry and Training Collaboration
We recognise that a great hotel stays and memorable guest experiences at Low Wood Bay, or anywhere in the Lake District are created by the professionalism of our teams.
The Spa at Low Wood Bay
That starts with good training, the attainment of industry related qualifications and the development of key customer services skills. And it’s why The Spa at Low Wood Bay have struck up a unique partnership with Kendal College and ESPA to deliver a specialist training programme for spa therapists.
Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa is working with the college and training provider to give budding spa therapists advancement skills to develop their career paths. The idea is to give them much earlier opportunities to gain experience whilst earning a reasonable wage.
It’s a huge challenge for newly qualified therapists to get on the first rung of the career ladder. So we approached Kendal College and ESPA to see where they could help.
Comprehensive Spa Training
Our spa therapists acquire a range of skills to ensure they are ready for work, from training in manicures, pedicures and facials through to aromatherapy and Swedish massage.
The ESPA certification delivered through the college means our spa therapists are trained to some of the highest industry standards in body and face treatments. It is equipping them with luxury brand training – and customer service and hospitality skills – to give them a head-start when they start applying for full time roles.
A contracted work experience with Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa allows them to earn a proper spa therapist’s wage as they gain much needed experience. We want them to have more comprehensive theoretical and practical training to ensure they are more fully prepared for the world of work.
Creating Bright Futures
The feedback from Kendal College thus far is extremely positive, with Head of Faculty for Leisure & service Industries Richard Axford commenting: “We are extremely proud to be collaborating with such high-quality brands as Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa and ESPA.
“It is exposing our learners to industry leading training and will mean they are qualified at a high level upon completion of their studies. Our motto is ‘creating bright futures’ and this pioneering scheme means our learners are better equipped and on a pathway to an outstanding career.”
Our first cohort of trainee spa therapists has started the programme so they can get paid work experience which either leads to a permanent job here with the hotel group, or the chance to secure another job as a result of the training they have received.
Jobs at English Lakes Hotels
For more information about vacancies in any of our hotels, restaurants and Spa, take a look at English Lakes Jobs Page.
