London
The Hoxton, citizenM, Nobu Portman Square, Town Hall Hotel, Montcalm, edyn, Iconic Luxury Hotels, Pan Pacific, Hilton Bankside
After the pandemic and Brexit devastated so many hospitality operators in London, in May 2022 we opened the doors to our first school in the English Capital. Our aim wasn’t just to support local hotels that we’re struggling to cope with the aftermath, but to create meaningful careers for local Londoners.
In London we partnered with nine hotel partners and more local non-profits than ever before to create an inclusive, open school which we hoped would signal the opening of our first permanent Saira school.
The success of our first school in London has paved the way for Saira’s first permanent presence in a city that needs it most. From 2022 onwards, Saira will run multiple schools in the English capital, creating a sustainable solution to unemployment, underemployment and the hospitality hiring crises.
6 week school | 55 total graduates | 9 hotel partners
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Saira Hospitality and supporting their mission to evolve hiring practices in London. As a Collective Partner, we’re honoured to be part of such an inclusive project that will have a positive impact on people’s livelihood while launching new, lasting careers in the industry. We are excited to share our insights and experience, and be part of the process that nurtures undiscovered talent starting out in hospitality.”
- Stephen McCall, CEO of Edyn
The Monastery Hotel,
West Virginia
We partnered with Roxby Development in Wheeling, West Virginia to train members of the local community where all students received additional eCornell, ServSafe and TIPS training and certifications.
Local guest speakers shared their expertise with students on a weekly basis, and regular excursions included hotel visits, curated dinners with a private chef, wine tasting as well as opportunities for community networking.
Students were given opportunities to practice and be compensated for their new skills at Roxby F&B events during the program.
The Monastery Hotel unfortunately has been delayed in its opening due to the pandemic.
9 week pop-up
“I highly admire the work the Saira Hospitality team do to drive change in the industry. I knew they were the missing link to really bring The Monastery and our vision for a transformative hospitality experience, which brings out-of-town guests, and the community together.”
- Jeffrey Morris, Founder, Roxby Development & The Monastery
Habitas, Namibia
We partnered with Habitas to create a two-week pop-up hotel school before the brands opening in Namibia. We received more than 300 applications and interviewed 190 students for 76 spaces on the program.
Habitas will hire up to 60 students from the Saira programme during their opening period for entry and mid-level roles. We are now working with Habitas on two additional openings in early 2020.
2 week pop-up | 73 total graduates
100% ROI to Habitas
“Saira’s holistic approach to hospitality was fun, inspiring and refreshing — the program was engaging and the team was fantastic to work with. We are looking forward to working with them again on the next pop up.”
– Haylie Gordon, Property Operations Manager, Virgin Management Limited
British Virgin Islands
Virgin Limited, Rosewood Hotels, Autograph Collection and Bitter End Yacht Club
After Hurricanes Irma and Maria left hundreds without electricity, homes and employment in the British Virgin Islands in 2017, Saira Hospitality partnered with numerous hotels across islands the to launch two 8-week pop-up hotel schools on Virgin Gorda and Tortola. We received more than 225 applications to the program, accepting 95 students to fill six classes, which were hosted by local trainers.
The curriculum spanned technical training, general industry knowledge and communications, as well as covering topics such as sustainability, nutrition, personal finance, entrepreneurship and leadership.
8 week pop-up | 75 total graduates | 9% Turnover
“As a former hotelier, I saw a lot of value in the program and I would like to see it continue. It would be wonderful to have more residents of the BVI take part.”
– Sharon Flax Brutus, Director, BVI Tourist Board
Four Seasons, Costa Palmas
In 2017, we produced a seven-week program to educate and train locals from the La Ribera community for positions at Costa Palmas Beach Club, managed by Four Seasons. We interviewed over 100 locals for 70 spaces on the program, which translated into 60 jobs for graduates overall.
In addition to equipping students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in their role, we also organized excursions to luxury hotels and restaurants where students could experience high-level service first hand. Guest speakers were brought in to share their hospitality stories, which included leaders from Bunkhouse Hotels, Auberge Resorts, Conbody and Thompson Hotels.
7 week pop-up | 60 total graduates | 10% turnover to date
“I never thought we would have found so much local talent within the community. Working with Saira had a very high return on investment and we would love to work together again in the future.”
– Lorenzo Mietitore, Club and Operations Manager, Four Seasons Resort Costa Palmas
Bunkhouse Hotels,
Todos Santos
The Tres Santos development and Hotel San Cristóbal faced challenges from politicians, local fisherman groups and the expatriate community after a series of misunderstandings around the use of land. To build relationships with the local community, the Development undertook numerous initiatives including a nine-week Saira pop-up hotel school.
We were able to offer free education to 42 locals, all of which went on to achieve 85% or higher in their final examination. We had 25 entry and mid-level positions to fill at Hotel San Cristóbal, 100% of which were recruited for from Saira graduates. 40 of the 42 graduates now work in hospitality.
9 week pop-up | 42 total graduates | 13% turnover
“Saira Hospitality is real and life-changing, and I’m excited to see where we can take it in the future with you.”
– Liz Lambert, Founder, Bunkhouse Hotels
A Place Called Home,
Los Angeles
In late 2015 Saira launched a successful pilot project at A Place Called Home in downtown Los Angeles, where there is great need for opportunity and education among inner-city adults. Five students were taken through a six-week pop-up hotel school led by Harsha L’Acqua, Saira Hospitality’s Founder & CEO.
The programme included weekly guest speakers from brands including W Hotels, Palihotels, Andaz and Ace Hotels. Following the programme, several graduates were offered entry-level positions by the brands.
Discover the wider impact Saira has had on hotels, students and community.
