InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), the world's largest hotel company, and people solutions specialists, Mint Group, have launched a joint training initiative that will see IHG staff gain nationally recognised qualifications in their first year of employment.

IHG Australasia regional director human resources, Craig Hooley, said "This initiative will combine Mint Group's award-winning, accredited training programs with IHG's commitment to building the skills, knowledge and capability of our employees.

"This is the first time a hospitality organisation has partnered with a Registered Training Organisation in such a way. This strategy will ensure that all new IHG staff ... will achieve Certificate III level of competency with the first year of service," he said.

The new structure will focus on individual, on-the-job training rather than off-site, group-based activities. It will also enhance IHG's ability to deliver training across all hotels, including those in remote locations.

"Our training programs have been restructured to involve supervisors in the delivery of training, thus allowing their skills to be developed and for training to be delivered effectively in more remote locations," Hooley said.

According to Hooley, many people see the hospitality industry as a "stop-gap measure on the way to something else", but he believes that IHG's partnership with Mint Group will be pivotal in staff retention and career development.