Macdonald Hotels & Resorts is launching of a new
career pathway for its spa staff
‘Your Spa Career Development Plan’ has been devised in in
cooperation with UK-based product house Elemis and its Academy
of Excellence.
Spa staff will benefit from a tailor-made careers programme,
which has been constructed to inspire and encourage therapists
across the hotel group’s 23 spa venues across the UK, Ireland
and Portugal.
Macdonald Hotels & Resorts is the first spa hotel group in
the UK to offer this level of structured development pathway.
Each participant’s programme will be based on their specific
needs and level of experience across six positions, ranging
from apprentice spa therapist to spa manager and regional spa
manager.
For those with no experience ““ starting as an apprentice spa
therapist ““ a training programme of 18 months will help them
progress to NVQ Level 3 in beauty therapy. There is also the
opportunity for all staff to work across the group’s four- and
five-star hotels throughout the UK.
Training will include initial education with the product houses
and internal hospitality training, as well as schooling on
subjects such as rota scheduling, forecasting and recruitment.
Staff will acquire all the skills necessary to work their way
up to lead a successful spa team. A ‘Buddy Programme’ will
allow more experienced members of the spa staff to help nurture
junior members. Many of these ‘Buddies’ have worked for the
company for a number of years.
Keith Pickard, group director of spa at Macdonald Hotels, says:
‘A career within the spa industry can be challenging and
inspiring but not everyone is aware of the opportunities and
the support we can give to help our therapists fulfil their
career aspirations. Our Spa Career Development Plan clearly
outlines the support available and formalises the training
schemes provided by our product houses. We hope that this will
encourage our spa staff, whatever stage they are at, to gain
new skills and progress with confidence to the level they have
set their sights on.’
http://www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/
