Employer-led accreditation of hospitality colleges

How can your college show employers, potential students and parents that your full-time provision is among the best in the country, and that it's been endorsed by a panel of employers as being innovative, flexible and reflecting businesses' needs?

People 1st International’s hospitality accreditation recognises colleges that deliver excellent full-time or classroom-based hospitality training and qualifications. The accreditation also highlights colleges that are working well with employers – allowing them to influence the curriculum so it meets industry needs, and develops partnerships that benefit learners.

The Hospitality Employer-Led College Accreditation Board, made up of representatives from leading hospitality organisations, makes the final decision on whether a college meets the standards needed to receive People 1st International college accreditation.

Chaired by Sean Wheeler, director of people development at Kimpton UK & Regent Hotels at InterContinental Hotels Group, the board includes representatives from the hotel, restaurant, foodservice, casual dining and events industries. This employer-led approach to accreditation drives the quality of full-time provision and recognises colleges that are innovative, flexible and reflect businesses' needs, ensuring they are an excellent source of future talent for the industry.

The board feeds into the Hospitality Skills & Quality Board, which unites industry bodies, training providers and end-point assessment organisations to act with ‘one voice’ around skills.

Benefits of hospitality accreditation

Accreditation offers a series of unique benefits to hospitality colleges:

• Be seen as the ‘best of the best’ by employers: When employers see the People 1st International accreditation badge, they will know that you work well with businesses
• Identify how you rate against criteria set by employers: Identify how well you’re performing and receive a detailed report highlighting your strengths and areas for improvement
• Stay ahead of the curve: Stay up to date with employer needs, industry standards and  share best practice and network with other providers at our strategic forums, and get your views heard in consultations on critical industry training & development initiatives
• Exclusive access to information and resources: Receive expert insight into key skills policy developments through regular for  ums and communications
• Access to a dedicated members portal: Access insights, data, initiatives and support through a members-only section of the People 1st International website
• Apply for an AA College Rosette for your college restaurant: An exclusive opportunity to apply for this prestigious award, developed in partnership with AA Hotel Services, which can only be awarded to People 1st International accredited colleges and creates fantastic PR and commercial opportunities
• Enter the AA College Restaurant of the Year Award: This national award, part of the AA’s annual Hospitality Awards, is only open to People 1st International accredited colleges. The award gives colleges an unprecedented opportunity to be part of one of the industry’s most prestigious events and put their restaurants well and truly on the map!