For more than 30 years Protea Hotels has been running two separate in-service training programmes in hospitality management and professional cookery respectively. These two programmes result in externally recognised qualifications and a large percentage of our senior managers and hotel general managers in Protea Hotels today have come up through these ranks.
In April 2014 Protea Hotels was acquired by Marriott International whom adopted Accelerate as one of its company youth development programs. Marriott International is a leading global lodging company with more than 6,900 properties across 130 countries and territories (www.marriott.com)
The objective of ACCELERATE is to ensure that each individual receives development, both practical and academic in accordance with the program requirements. This allows the individual to achieve a formal qualification and to serve as a foundation for their career in hospitality.
The Marriott International Regional Office in Cape Town South Africa facilitates the programme in conjunction with regional hotel and culinary schools.
YOU MAY ASK:
“What if we train our STAFF really well and they leave?” OUR RESPONSE: “What if we don’t and they stay?” |
PROGRAMME REQUIREMENTS
HOW TO GAIN THE ONE YEAR OF WORKING EXPERIENCE NECESSARY TO APPLY
The year of full time employment (experience in the industry) necessary to apply, can be gained by working in all the various functional areas of any hotel for a period of a year. The experiential year is for the individual to gain insight into the industry and for reality of job choice.
The experience does not necessarily have to be gained by working for a hotel that forms part of the Marriott International group. However we do assist prospective Trainees to gain the experience. Our full portfolio of hotels can be seen on our website www.marriott.com for more information on hotels based in South Africa.
You should start working permanently for a hotel by no later than the end of February, in order to be able to apply by the 31st of August of your experiential year, for the formal 1st year intake in January of the following year.
PROGRAMME OUTLINE & DURATION
Each programme is in essence five years long, which includes the experiential year required to be able to apply and taking up permanent employment within the group for a minimum of a year after completion of the educational component of three years. The programme equips trainees with practical skills, theoretical knowledge and a broad understanding of the hospitality industry.
During the educational component of the programme trainees are placed with up to 3 (three) separate hotels within the Marriott International group of hotels in South Africa. Trainees are transferred in order to gain the experience of working in different types of hotels (i.e. city centre, resort, country). The location at which a trainee may be placed is at the discretion of the Program Managers, although the trainees’ personal circumstances will be taken into account where possible.
Trainees will spend a minimum of 1 (one) year with a hotel before being transferred to a new hotel. Hotel transfers take place in January of each respective year and trainees are advised in early December where they have been placed for the following year.
Hospitality Management Trainees work in all the different departments of the hotel and Professional Cookery Trainees work in all the different sections that form part of, or contribute to, a hotel kitchen operation. This is to gain a practical insight into hotel operations.
The theoretical aspect of the industry is covered by study-release periods at Hotel or Culinary School as well as attending a number of company short courses and completing a number of company online programmes during each year. The trainees are also required to study and complete a portfolio of evidence in their own time.
A year with a hotel will be broken down as follows:
FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS
The Training Hotel that the trainee is placed with on an annual basis is responsible to pay for the following:
- A monthly stipend (basic salary) as prescribed by the Marriott International Regional Office;
- The annual In-Service Trainee registration fee;
- The annual study fees due to the Hotel/Culinary School; and
- The short course and online programme fees.
The trainee will be required to provide for and pay the following costs:
- All expenses incurred in travelling to the Training Hotel the Accelerate has been transferred annually;
- The trainee is required to arrange their own accommodation at their own cost; and
- The trainee is responsible for his/her own transport (to and from work) and meals (during working hours); if one or both of these conditions are not provided by the placement hotel.
WORKBACK PERIOD
A work-back period of one year with a hotel that forms part of the Marriott International group is required upon completion of the educational component (3 years) of the programme.
The company does not place trainees to complete their work-back year. Trainees need to seek and secure their own permanent employment in order to complete their work-back year. We encourage trainees to pursue a position they wish to start their career with.
It is rarely necessary to enforce the work-back obligation. In the event that the trainee is unable to find suitable employment, the trainee will be placed in any available position at any hotel that forms part of the Marriott International group of hotels, where a position exists the graduate would be suitable for. The trainee will only be released from their work back obligation in the event that there are no vacancies within the group at the time.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Experiential year
Should the potential Accelerate wish to complete his/her experiential year with a hotel that forms part of the Marriott International group, available Orientation positions will be advertised on the Marriott Careers website between October and February of each year. Individuals need to apply on the website, searching by the job title Accelerate Orientation Trainee. Please visit www.marriott.com/careers during this time.
1st year Intake
Applicants must formally apply for 1st year intake during their experiential year. Applications must reach the Marriott International Regional Office before the end of August, for the formal component of the programme commencing in January of the following year. No applications will be considered after August.
All applications must be completed on the official Marriott Application Form in the applicants own handwriting.
In addition, the application must be supported by:
- A photograph of the applicant
- A certified copy of the applicants Matric (Grade 12) certificate or equivalent accredited NQF Level 4 qualification
- Cover letter & detailed Curriculum Vitae
- Certified copy of school testimonial(s)
- Previous work reference letters (where applicable)
Applications for 1st year intake may be scanned and e-mailed to accelerate@marriott.com. Please ensure that the necessary experience has been gained before applying for 1st year intake. Scanned application documents should be of a good and visible quality.
Applicants should bear in mind that, although he/she may possess the required qualifications, the number of available places on each course is extremely limited and we would advise applicants to also apply to other suitable hotels/companies in order to avoid disappointment.
Additional Information
Should you require any additional information please e-mail your query to: accelerate@marriott.com