Travelodge Aspire Programme: Our partnership with Lifetime enables employees to develop essential skills and grow their careers

Ready to level up your career? Aspire apprenticeships, powered by Lifetime, give you the skills and know-how you need to shine in your current job and reach your big goals. And the best part? You’ll earn a qualification that’s respected by everyone in your industry.

Want to see what it’s like? Check out our success stories below.

Martyn Milburn – Hospitality Manager Level 4 at Travelodge Gateshead

Three words to describe the Aspire programme:

Challenging
Educational
Motivational

Can you introduce yourself and your background?

I’ve been in the hospitality industry for 14 years, I joined Travelodge as an Assistant Hotel Manager in Newcastle Quayside. Since then, I’ve been promoted to Hotel Manager at Gateshead and am now working in a Central Operations role.

Why did you enrol onto the Aspire programme?

I enrolled in the Aspire Apprenticeship program to continue developing my skills. The program was challenging but incredibly rewarding. It helped me realise that some of the skills I’d already developed were part of a broader strategic planning model.

How do you manage your time to complete Off-The-Job training?

I managed to complete my off-the-job training by scheduling time off on my work rota and making sure I was unavailable during those times. I also used our ALM sessions, mentoring time with my Area Operations Manager, and meetings with Head Office teams to learn and develop my skills.

How has the Aspire Apprenticeship benefitted your current role and helped you to achieve or drive for results?

The apprenticeship has been invaluable in my current role. It’s helped me understand my team’s needs better and motivate them to exceed expectations. I’ve also learned how to manage my time more effectively to balance my work and study commitments. The Aspire programme helped me see that some of the skills I’d already developed were actually part of a strategic planning model.

How has your apprenticeship supported you with career development? What’s next?

During my apprenticeship, I learned to talk to and work with a lot of different people. This led to some conversations I never thought I’d have. Through these conversations, I found out about new jobs that were a good fit for me. I applied for one of them and got it. Now I’m doing a job that I really love.

What advice would you give someone thinking of starting an apprenticeship programme with Travelodge?

If you’re considering an apprenticeship with Travelodge, I’d advise you to plan your time carefully, protect your learning time, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. The apprenticeship is a great opportunity to develop your skills and advance your career.

David Zenda – Hospitality Manager Level 4 at Travelodge Slough

Three words to describe the Aspire programme:

Applicable
Effective
Empowering

Can you introduce yourself and your background?

I joined Travelodge on the 5th of June 2015 as a manager at Newbury Tothill, a 52 bed lodge. In February 2019 I was promoted to HM Reading Central, an 88 bed lodge in the centre of Reading with a team of 20. In May 2022 I was promoted to HM Slough, a 156 bed Bar Café hotel. I have a team of 35.

Why did you enrol onto the Aspire programme?

I enrolled on Travelodge’s Aspire programme to enhance my hospitality knowledge and skills.
Having transitioned from a different industry, I believed that additional training could make me more effective in my role. Consequently, I’ve become a strong advocate for Aspire.

What has surprised you the most from your apprenticeship?

I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how manageable the workload is. Initially, I thought the course would be much more challenging. However, the bite-sized portions of content allow me to progress at my own pace and stay on track with the original timeline.

How has the Aspire Apprenticeship benefitted your current role and helped you to achieve or drive for results around customer service?

Through the Aspire program, I’ve gained valuable knowledge in areas like communication, recruitment, KPIs, and F&B, some of which were all entirely new to me. While I was familiar with some aspects, the program has significantly expanded my understanding. This newfound knowledge has empowered me to further focus on these areas and drive for better results. As a result, our team is performing significantly better than before.

How has your apprenticeship supported you with career development? What’s next?

The program has not only expanded my knowledge but has also empowered me to take on new challenges. I’m eager to continue learning and applying these skills in my role. As a result of my positive experience, I’ve become a People Champion in my area, promoting Aspire to my colleagues.

What advice would you give someone thinking of starting an apprenticeship with Travelodge?

I would highly recommend the Aspire program. The initial hesitation I had has completely vanished. I now have the confidence to push myself and encourage others to take advantage of this opportunity.