Travelodge has launched a budget hotel management apprenticeship programme for school leavers.

The JuMP (Junior Management Programme) provides a fast track route into management and provides A-level students (18+), while school leavers can continue their education, obtain work experience, receive a salary and become a manager by the age of 21.

Travelodge is offering 500 management apprenticeships and has begun its search for the first 50 apprentices this summer.

Under the scheme, apprentices will experience practical, vocational learning in hotel management, retail, operations, marketing and customer service, while attaining a L2 Apprenticeship in Multi Skilled Hospitality and a L3 Diploma (Advanced Apprenticeship) in hospitality Supervision & Leadership.

Upon completing the programme, apprentices will move on to the Travelodge in house 12-week management programme before graduating to a management role.

A JuMP apprentice can expect to earn a total of between £25,000 to £30,000 from training to graduation.

The move comes as research by Travelodge shows 71% of British 16 to 18-year-olds are questioning the value of going to university due to the rising costs and the apparent lack of graduate jobs.

Travelodge CEO Guy Parsons says: “Our nationwide JuMP programme offers school leavers an alternative career choice to going to university. The fast track management programme provides a real job, with the opportunity of on the job training throughout the business, combined with further education and the opportunity to earn up to £30,000.”

Interested candidates should email their details to [email protected]