The recently re-branded The QHotels Collection have announced the formation of a new Spa Academy which will see the creation of new positions across the group and training and qualifications for existing Spa, Beauty & Wellbeing practitioners.

Sarah Abercrombie is the inspiration behind this initiative. She had the idea back in 2019 and has been working on the plan ever since, despite a hiatus due to the Covid Pandemic.

“I wanted to create an Academy that would encourage new people in to Spa and Wellbeing and fast track them in to a professional qualification,” she said. “And I wanted to create a system that would offer personal development and training to more certification for existing practitioners.”

Two years on and despite the pandemic, Sarah and the team at The QHotels Collection will launch the programme fully on November 1.

Ten newly created Apprenticeships have been identified who are new to the industry. They will have intensive training in a partnership with both the IBHA (International Beauty and Holistic Academy) and Elemis (Internationally renowned Skincare brand).

The unique training for The QHotels Collection Spa Academy will be under a certified “Well Being & Holistic Therapy” qualification recognised throughout the industry.

“We want to bring new people in to this very important sector, especially at this time,” said Sarah. “We are starting with a small group of ten but we see that this programme will very quickly escalate so that we can “Grow Our Own” professionals both for our group but also to enjoy a fabulous career in Beauty Therapy for their personal development and their futures.”

In addition, The QHotels Collection Spa Academy will help those already working in the industry to gain more professional qualifications which will be recognised in the UK and abroad.

Each member of The QHotels Collection Spa team will have a personalised development pathway programme to help them to become experts in the field of wellness, treatments and holistic therapies. And each individual will also be encouraged to explore their own wellbeing as part of the training.

“It is important that everyone on this unique programme is encouraged to explore and discover new ways to work on both a personal plan to encourage wellbeing management but also to understand more fully the needs of guests at the hotel,” said Julie Speed, Director of the IBHA.

“We have over 35 years of producing quality training and mentoring systems and the best Spa professionals in the country today. And we are delighted to have a unique plan in place for the training of The QHotels Collection Spa team.”

The group are planning for a number of people from beginners, improvers and Level 2 practitioners to pass through their training programme from now and during 2022 with a plan to expand the level of training and qualifications in the coming years.

Elemis Head of UK Spa and Salon, Sarah Bacon said: “This is such an exciting partnership for us. We are providing a unique and dynamic personal career pathway development especially for The QHotels Collection Spa team. But this also means a unique experience for hotel guests. We view this as three fabulous British brands coming together to benefit spa enthusiasts be they starters, professionals and those enjoying the expert treatments, to improve the industry and ultimately benefit the lives of both practitioner and consumer.”

An additional bonus to those involved in The QHotels Collection Spa Academy is that they will receive remuneration above the norm and be encouraged to progress to higher levels and a higher pay grade within a 20-month training cycle.

Participating Spa Academy Hotels:

About The QHotels Collection

Formerly known as The QHotels Group, The QHotels Collection comprises of 21 hotels and resorts consisting of individual as well as branded hotels including DoubleTree by Hilton, Delta by Marriott and Accor brands across the UK. For more information visit www.theqhotelscollection.co.uk