Hospitality Connect, a program aimed at connecting the UK hotel sector with future hospitality professionals, recently celebrated its fifth anniversary with impressive milestones. The initiative began in Manchester in 2021 and has since expanded into 18 regions and 182 schools across the UK, reaching over 4,000 students last year.

The program, developed alongside the Careers Hub team from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), provides students with in-depth insights into the hospitality field through partnerships with hotels. In Greater Manchester, there are currently 25 hotel partners, which include prestigious names such as Dorchester Collection, Marriott, Intercontinental Hotel Group, and Hilton.

Matt Townley, Chair of the Manchester Hoteliers Association, mentioned the initiative’s growth from an initial group of 10 hotels to a nationwide effort. “Our city’s hotels and educational institutions have demonstrated how to offer significant social value and alter perceptions within the hospitality sector,” he remarked.

Luke Martindale, HR Manager at The Lowry Hotel, expressed his support for the initiative, stating, “This goes beyond just providing work experience; it is an essential pipeline for future talent.”

Looking to the future, Hospitality Connect plans to introduce new regional initiatives in locations like Inverness, Heathrow, and Bath throughout 2026, as they continue to aim at inspiring the next generation in hospitality.