The Daniel Thwaites Spa Group has announced the launch of The Spa Academy, a training initiative designed to help combat the spa industry’s recruitment crisis and low staff retention rates.

The Spa Academy provides participants with the opportunity to work at a Daniel Thwaites Spa while completing a Level 2 or 3 Apprenticeship.

The course is suitable both for people looking for a job or people who are already working within the hotel group’s spa division.

Participants will be able to complete their training onsite with dedicated time set aside to study and be assessed. Assessments will take place either on-site or remotely via a training supplier.

Gemma Barratt, group spa director at Daniel Thwaites, explains: “As an industry, the spa sector needs more recruitment and training initiatives. Our industry is facing an ongoing challenge to recruit and retain not only therapists but spa-focused individuals to work throughout UK spas.

“At Daniel Thwaites, we believe we need to showcase the beauty of a career in spa, fitness and wellness, giving people the opportunity to experience what a rewarding career it can be.

“The Spa Academy is an inclusive way to open doors for people to achieve their dreams and gain lifelong qualifications, while we teach them best practice in hospitality and help them grow. It’s also a useful motivational tool to keep current team members engaged once they’re working by ensuring ongoing development.”

The initiative has been created to help those on the journey to becoming a wellbeing holistic therapist - Level 3; a leisure team member - Level 2; and a personal trainer - Level 3.

Benefits for Spa Academy trainees

• A guarantee of long-term employment with Daniel Thwaites.• A rate of pay (ROP) above an apprenticeship ROP, starting at £7.50 per hour (based on age).

• The opportunity to learn from peers while on the job, with dedicated time to study and be assessed.• Provides young people who have left school not knowing a career path with a chance to gain a qualification and explore a career in spa and hospitality.

• Provides an opportunity for mature students who want to gain a Level 3 qualification, but can’t afford to do so on their own.

Benefits for the industry• A retention tool for spa managers to keep valued team members who are eager to learn something new.

• Provides trainees with a solid foundation for a future career in hospitality.• Opportunity for team members to be involved in training and to have a rewarding involvement in helping other team members grow.

• Provides the spa industry with experienced, committed therapists, leisure team members and PTs.