IHG opened the IHG Academy in two new locations - Jinan in the northern Shandong Province, and Shunde in southern Guangdong Province -

First launched in Shanghai in June 2006, and expanded to include the Chongqing Campus in February 2007, the IHG Academy offers a series of specially-developed learning programmes aimed at addressing the demand for trained talent in the fast-growing hotel industry. 

These two new hospitality education and training centres further reinforce IHG's commitment to developing capability among local talent. They also extend the scope of IHG's superior hospitality training to the North and South of China, giving IHG Academy the ability to train and nurture a larger talent pool across various parts of China.

Edmond Ip, chief operating officer for IHG Greater China, said: "The expansion of the IHG Academy across China helps us to build a continuing pool of skilled, well-trained talent.  It also creates opportunities and bright career paths for talented students from across the country.  And because of the IHG Academy superior skills development, we are pleased to say that IHG is helping China's future hoteliers enter the ranks of the world's best."

The students will get their best possible start in the industry from the IHG Academy's three-year Advanced Certification programme, which covers various tourism and hotel industry subjects. All programmes combine theoretical sessions by university lecturers, industry lectures given by executives from IHG, and internship exposure at hotels under the IHG portfolio.

Along with the two-year Advanced Certification program, the IHG Academy will also offer a series of shorter, four to eight-week certification programmes designed to enhance skills in the front office, housekeeping or food and beverage functions.  This diversity of programmes allows students, and employers, to train for the specific needs they must fulfil, regardless of their current placement, giving them greater options and better career prospects within the hospitality industry.

To ensure the highest quality education, the centres are affiliated with the top hospitality institutions in their respective regions – Shandong College of Tourism and Hospitality in Jinan and Shunde Polytechnic in Guangzhou. These schools provide the professional support that the IHG Academy requires, along with national and international certification for graduates.

IHG has spent the past 23 years developing its hotel network in China. Today, the company has 71 hotels spread across four brands, and is on track to meeting its goal of having 125 hotels opened by 2008.  This rapid expansion is testament to the quality of IHG's services and the company's commitment to excellence in hospitality for China.