UK Skills / Case Studies

Partnership and Collaboration Award

Luminar Leisure, in partnership with Aspire Loughborough College

Nightclub operator Luminar Leisure launched a foundation degree course to train its managers, reduce staff turnover and help professionalise the industry. 

Since the launch of its Foundation Degree in Leadership and Management (Late Night Entertainment), 'our business has been transformed', says Liz Purdy, Luminar HR director. 'The programme has reduced management turnover, provides a structured career path and encourages internal promotion,' says Purdy. 'It has helped professionalise the business and is market-leading. A sense of pride and passion has been instilled in the delegates, their managers, families and the business.'

When Luminar set up the scheme, developed in partnership with Aspire Loughborough College and accredited by Nottingham Trent University, it had no structured management training or career path, and management turnover was high. Crew, who tended to join as temporary or part-time bar staff, receptionists and glass collectors, often lacked the knowledge and confidence to succeed when promoted to management roles, many joining with no formal qualifications.

The Management Development Programme was designed to equip staff as they took on assistant manager roles and progressed to deputy manager. Its modules cover areas from transformational leadership to customer service, finance, marketing and recruitment. Building staff’s self-esteem and confidence is key and individual support is available for staff with learning difficulties.

The programme has been sponsored personally by Luminar Chief Executive Stephen Thomas. At its launch, in November 2005, he said: 'One of the proudest moments of my life was being able to send my son to university. Now I am able to do the same with employees of Luminar and give you all the opportunity to gain a qualification in an industry for which we all have a great deal of passion.'

In 2006, 400 managers nationwide started the programme, delivered over three or four years with delegates working full-time on a shift basis. Specialist trainers guide and assess them through assignments, from work-based projects to role play and exams. An important aspect of the course is that skills can be related to the workplace, allowing trainees to put their learning into practice and build knowledge until eventually they can use their transferrable skills to run a business unit.

The course currently costs Luminar £102,142 while Loughborough College’s costs are covered by HEFCE funding. The effectiveness of the partnership is continually monitored and evaluated to key performance indicators.

Results have been striking. In 2006-7 177 managers left the business for reasons other than dismissal, ill health or sale of their venue. By the following year, 2007-8, that reduced by 46.3% on the previous year to 95, and in 2008-9 by 27.3% to 69. Based on an average recruitment cost of £2,000, a total of £216,000 has been saved.

In January 2009, the first 101 managers graduated and now 20% of the company’s general managers have completed the MDP and have been promoted from within. Graduates can now go on to take a BA (Hons) Degree in Leadership and Management.

Recognition has followed, and in 2008 the company was awarded ‘One to Watch’ status in the Best Companies to Work For listings.

ENDS

About Luminar Leisure
Luminar is the largest operator of licensed late night entertainment venues in the UK. It employs about 4,000 people and runs 89 nightclubs under brands from Oceana, Liquid, Lava & Ignite, together with a numbere of unbrandable venues.

About Aspire Loughborough College
Aspire Loughborough College is based at the Aspire Centre for Leadership and Management at Loughborough College. The educational organisation is Investors in People accredited and employs 900 people. It has taken the Skills Pledge and is also involved in delivering services for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Entry name: Luminar Leisure; Aspire Loughborough College; A strong partnership between Luminar and Loughborough College to deliver exceptional training and a foundation degree.
Entry no: 91083
Location: Luminar House, Deltic Avenue, Rooksley, Milton Keynes, MK13 8LW
Region: South East

For further information contact: 
Antonia Lee 020 7429 2825 / Kate Moloughney 020 7429 2827 
antonia.lee@ukskills.org.uk
kate.moloughney@ukskills.org.uk