The FINANCIAL -- InterContinental Hotels Groups is to launch a hospitality training academy in London and create nearly 3,000 news jobs across the UK over the next three years.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, who attended the launch of the IHG Academy programme at the soon-to-open Holiday Inn London Stratford City, welcomed the initiative.

According to Caterer and Hotelkeeper, a total of 2,992 new jobs will be created at IHG's 275 hotels in the UK over the next three years, including 1,144 new jobs this year.

Holiday Inn - an IHG brand - is the official hotel provider to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and as part of its Olympic legacy, IHG has launched a training academy in partnership with Newham College.

Students will take a six-month tailored course which will combine the best of the Hospitality Skills Diploma NVQ with four weeks practical work experience at an IHG hotel. They will qualify with a Hospitality Level 2 Diploma and will have the opportunity to apply for jobs at entry level at the Holiday Inn London Stratford City and three other IHG hotels in the area that will be creating new jobs.

The training initiative is one of 42 IHG Academy programmes worldwide, which involved 5,500 students last year.

IHG currently employs over 15,000 people in the UK, and around 24% are aged between 18 and 24.

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