Australia: Australia’s first social enterprise hotelHotel Etico is enhancing its training in hospitality for young people with special needs thanks to a new partnership with Trilogy Hotels, Schwartz Family Company, and Trilogy Hotels.
Hotel Etico is moving its training academy from Leura to the Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School in New South Wales.
The Academy of Independence, which is owned by Torrens University Australia will now be situated next to BMIHMS and Leura Gardens Resort, both of which are owned by Schwartz.
The partnership is due to start in October 2025. It will create an integrated resort village, which Dr Jerry Schwartz, director of the Schwartz Family Company, calls, combining vocational education, higher education and inclusive employment with operating hotels, on a single campus.
This will allow students to be immersed in a hotel while gaining the most from a program that will bring passionate, motivated, and well-trained graduates into the industry.
Students from the Blue Mountains International Hospitality School will be able to learn and grow in a hands-on environment. This partnership is a testament to the hospitality industry’s commitment to attracting and nurturing the best talent. The campus will be a model of inclusion and strength for Australia as well as the industry.
Trilogy Hotels will offer a recruitment pathway for Hotel Etico graduates and BMIHMS.
Hotel Etico plans to open a second campus for training in Canberra. This will be in collaboration with Trilogy Hotels and Schwartz Family Company at the Mercure Hotel Canberra.
Scott Boyes is the CEO of Trilogy Hotels. He said, “This partnership is unique in Australia, integrating vocational education, higher education and inclusive employment with hotel operations, all on one campus. It empowers industry professionals of all backgrounds and abilities. We believe that Leura Campus will become a beacon in social enterprise, education excellence and practical learning for hospitality careers.”
Highlights
• Hotel Etico has partnered with BMIHMS, Schwartz Family Company, and Trilogy Hotels to offer training for young people with disabilities.
• Hotel Etico has announced the relocation of its training academy to Leura in October 2025.
• The new campus has integrated vocational training, higher education, and hotel operations.
• Trilogy Hotels has created career pathways for graduates of both institutions.
• Hotel Etico has planned a second training campus in Canberra.
