Pelican Group Plc

The Pelican Group was acquired by Whitbread plc and at the time, operated more than 226 restaurants and pubs in the UK including Café Rouge, Mamma Amalfi and Dome. Supported by AZTEC, the South West London training and enterprise council, a pilot course for assistant managers commenced in November 1998 with a set studying for a Postgraduate Certificate in Management Studies (CMS) through to IMCA award scheme. AZTEC’s aims were to:

• Promote the concept of lifelong learning in which people are encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning.
  
• Address local skills shortages within the hospitality and tourism sector.
  
• Develop a suitable CMS course for the Pelican Group.
  
• Use distance learning technologies to support management development.
  
• Encourage companies to become more involved in workforce development by sponsoring and mentoring their employees through the training.
  

A report commissioned by AZTEC by an independent firm of consultants in May 1999 identified that most of the 12 associates entered the CMS in order to improve their career prospects or their qualifications. Most associates (10) said that the CMS was relevant to their job had a direct effect on their job. Four said that it had improved their skills in the job and four said that it improved their understanding of their business as a whole. There was also a high level of satisfaction with the tutor and mentor support. Associates identified that the main advantage of doing the course was to study where and when they wanted. Others mentioned that it improved IT skills and that is was easier to access course materials and other information, and it made communication with other people easier. Some difficulties were experienced with the hardware and software supplied to the Associates as well as making time in their busy lives to study and communicate with other Set members. The independent report concluded that most of these five objectives have been met completely or in part. The reports remarks:“...Associates and the employer were happy with the context of the courses and the effect of training”.