Apex Hotels Apprenticeship
Programme helps top students
progress their careers and education
T
WO STUDENTS WHO were the first to go through the
new Apex Hotels and QMU Scholarship Programme
have now been offered jobs within Apex and £1,500
each to further their postgraduate education. “Hands on work experience is at the heart of the events industry.
Taking part in this new programme during my final year at QMU
has helped me get a clear picture of how the hospitality industry
really works from the hotel perspective.
The scholarship aims to create a new generation of hospitality
leaders who can transform Scotland’s hospitality industry so that
it is a key player on the world stage. “I am now delighted to be enrolling in MBA Hospitality at QMU.”
Annie Fowden, aged 22 from Grassmarket, and Florencia Gago
Bigñe aged 21 from Portobello, received a bursary and began
their management apprenticeship with Apex Hotels in February
this year. The new Programme supported both BA (Hons) Events
Management students during their final year of study at QMU, and
provided each with paid work experience with Apex Hotels. The
opportunity allowed the students to gain hands on experience
across all areas of the business. They also conducted a research
project which aimed to find solutions to internal organisational
problems.
The Apex Hotels team was so pleased with the performance
of both of students during their stint with the group that it has
offered both Annie and Florencia paid positions for the next year.
In addition, Apex has set up the Norman Springford award, named
after the hotel group’s founder, which provides the students with
£1,500 each. This allows both students to continue furthering their
education by embarking on a postgraduate degree at QMU whilst
also working for the company.
Norman Springford, Managing Director of Apex Hotels, said: “I am
very pleased with the outcome of the inaugural Apex Hotels Queen
Margaret University Scholarship programme. The two students who
were offered positions at Apex Hotels have demonstrated excellent
personal and professional skills that were developed at QMU and
within Apex Hotels. This will help make them great assets for our
team. We look forward to the Apex Hotels Scholarship programme
continuing in the future to benefit many more students who seek
fulfilling careers in the hospitality industry.”
Professor Joe Goldblatt, Development Executive at QMU, said:
“We’re extremely grateful to Apex Hotels for its investment in student
learning and for working with QMU to develop strong managers who
can contribute significantly to Scotland’s important hospitality and
tourism industry. The combination of talented students who have
both solid work experience with a leading hotel organisation, and
excellent academic knowledge, will help to create future managers
who can raise industry standards.” ❒
Commenting on her appointment to the apprenticeship programme,
Annie Fowden, said: “I’m really excited to have been one of the first
QMU students to join the scheme. It is allowing me to develop myself
professionally and personally and learn new skills. I now plan to
use this experience and my undergraduate degree to apply
for the new Master in Public Administration at QMU.”
Florencia Gago Bigñe, who is originally from
Madrid in Spain, said: “When I heard about
the opportunity to apply for this new
apprenticeship scheme, I didn’t think
twice. It was the perfect start for my
career, giving me a chance to get
a deeper insight into the events
and meetings industry.
QMYOU / Development News
27