IoH, UK - Nigeria Int'l Branch launches Industry Based Mentorship Programmes

... Applauded by other Professional Bodies

The Institute of Hospitality, UK – Nigeria International Branch has launched an industry based Mentorship Programmes, which are already being applauded by other professional bodies.

This initiative is targeted towards the development of the manpower capacity of the hospitality industry, and in particular, to meet post Covid-19 challenges; the Institute in its continuous efforts to help mitigate the dire need for skilled professional staff in the hospitality industry, commences tuition free Skills Upgrade training programme for Cooks, Waiters and Housekeepers. 

With nearly four million hotel jobs lost due to the COVID-19 crisis, The Institute of Hospitality, UK - Nigeria International Branch announces that it will be providing an intensive 3 weeks practical with a six month industry mentorship supports to mid-to-low level workforce within the hospitality industry across the Nigeria, Africa largest economy. The pilot schemes are to commence in Lagos starting May 2021 and to continue into July and August 2021 before extending into other regions. Successful trainees will obtain an IoH Nigeria Training Certificate, an equivalent to Level 2 NVQ Certificate.  Trainees shall subsequently be attached to experienced IoH Mentors over a period of time to ensure learned skills are applied on the job.

The Institute of Hospitality, UK – Nigeria International Branch actively supports developing and promoting professionalism in the industry through its Career and Professional Development (CPD) Committee. The Institute supports its members, non-members, as well as professional associates in every effort to achieve their full professional potential and enhance the successes of the hospitality industry. The training is being organised with supports from the Institute of Hospitality, UK; IoH Nigeria Industry Partners as well as Fellows of the Institute in Nigeria who had volunteered to serve as Mentors during the follow-up six months Industry based mentorship exercise that is to follow the three weeks skill training.

According to Professor Wasiu Babalola FIH, the Honorary Chairman of the Institute of Hospitality, UK – Nigeria, the specially designed prac-skills training is designed to promote sustainability within the industry. It is open to anyone who wishes to continue learning and unlearn, learn and relearn ahead of present tumultuous times; and is great way to help our members and non-members better themselves. The hospitality and tourism industry is critical to the world, national, state, and regional economy. Between 2016 and 2026, the World Travel & Tourism Council predicts that Travel & Tourism will outperform the global economy, growing by an expected 4% on average annually over the next ten years. The hospitality industry is generally recognized as being comprised of major key segments: lodging, foodservice, and commercial recreation. 

According to Mr Olufemi Falebita MIH, the Institute’s Vice Chairman & Chair, Continuous Professional Development (CPD); “there is never a better time to acquire skills and knowledge for post Covid-19 survival”. He informed that the trainings had been fully subscribed to across the Country starting from Lagos all through the South-Western Nigeria to Owerri and Enugu in the South Eastern part; Port Harcourt, Kaduna, Bauchi and the FCT Abuja to mention but few. 

According to Alhaji M. G. Bankole FIH, the Lead Faculty and Principal Consultant of HOCAL Hospitality Academy; his firm is actively participating in the training as a way of giving back to the community and to provide accessible opportunities to help employees advance their practical skills and education, so as to be relevant in the industry.

Chief Abiodun Odusanwo FITPN, the National President of the Institute of Tourism Professionals in Nigeria while commending the Institute for its great strides and brilliant ideas regarding the training, noted that such training will go a long way in bridging the gaps in skills development that is constraining the growth and development of the hospitality and tourism industry. We need to at multiple strata to systematically develop the capacity and high level of people-ware that will incrementally avail the sector the stock, and flow of appropriate skills that will keep our sector at a global level service excellence. According to Chief Odusanwo, “we can only achieve the enormous task and potential by working collaboratively, separately as the case may be sometimes, but in all cases with the same objective because as a primary asset for hospitality and tourism success, human factor is the most valuable asset”

The Institute of Hospitality is the professional body for managers – and aspiring managers – working in the hospitality, leisure and tourism industries. With over 10,000 members in the UK, and in more than 100 countries worldwide, it aims to offer supports to its members throughout their careers in the industry. The Institute is managed as an educational charity, with its primary purpose being “to promote the highest professional standards of management and education in the international hospitality, leisure and tourism industries”. Prof Babalola informed that the Nigeria International Branch of the Institute was re-certified by the global body in 2010 and the Institute exists to benefit members in their professional and career development, while continuing to improve industry sector standards.