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Whitbread, the UK\u2019s largest hospitality company and owner of Premier Inn, has scaled its pioneering Thrive programme by opening a new Premier Inn training centre at Lincolnshire County Council\u2019s InspireU campus.<\/p>\n Completely indistinguishable from a regular hotel, right down to \u2018do not disturb\u2019 signs on the doors and the tea and coffee making facilities Premier Inn guests are familiar with, the training facility on Lincoln city centre\u2019s Smith Street features three en-suite bedrooms, a reception desk, corridor and linen room.<\/p>\n Delivered in partnership with Lincolnshire County Council, the facility will be shared on a rota basis by local special schools, colleges and adult services, ensuring wide access across the region. By bringing together schools, educators, job coaches and local authority services, the programme provides a joined-up model for inclusive employment that can be replicated nationally.<\/p>\n The employer-led initiative equips young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) with the skills, confidence and pathways they need to secure meaningful work. Many will go on to progress into supported internships or permanent roles in Premier Inn hotels.<\/p>\n By 2026, Whitbread aims to create 100 supported internships every year, helping to close the disability employment gap and set a new standard for inclusive recruitment in hospitality.<\/p>\n Rachel Howarth, Chief People Officer of Whitbread launched the facility. She said:<\/strong> \u201cWe couldn\u2019t be more excited to open this new training centre in Lincolnshire. As someone who grew up here, I\u2019m especially proud to see the county setting the standard for what inclusive employment can achieve. Thrive is a shining example of how business can lead the way in making employment more inclusive and accessible to all. At Whitbread, we believe there should be no barriers to entry and no limits to ambition \u2014 and Thrive proves that when employers step up, real change happens. None of this would be possible without the hard work of our partners, colleagues and local communities, and I want to thank everyone who has helped bring it to life.\u201d<\/p>\n She added<\/strong>: \u201cFewer than 5% of people with learning disabilities are in paid employment \u2013 we want to help change that by creating practical routes into work for young people with special education needs and disabilities. It\u2019s incredibly exciting to see the project gain momentum and strength and we can\u2019t wait to help more young people into work.\u201d<\/p>\n Councillor Natalie Oliver, Lead Member for Children\u2019s Services and Culture at Lincolnshire County Council, said:<\/strong> \u201cWe are delighted to partner with Whitbread on this inspiring initiative. By giving young people with learning disabilities the chance to train in a real hotel environment, we are opening doors to opportunity and independence. It is a major step forward for inclusive education and employment in Lincolnshire.\u201d<\/p>\n The new Premier Inn training centre at InspireU is the second Thrive training centre to open this year, allowing learners to train in a completely authentic Premier Inn environment where they can develop practical hospitality skills, build confidence, independence and the wider life skills needed for long-term employment.<\/p>\n The expansion comes as the Government seeks to reduce economic inactivity and improve employment outcomes for disabled people. Thrive not only supports this ambition but demonstrates how inclusive recruitment can be socially impactful and commercially sustainable. \u00a0Whitbread is encouraging other employers to learn from the Thrive model and join the effort to close the disability employment gap.<\/p>\n Thrive is part of Whitbread\u2019s Force for Good programme and has already helped hundreds of young people into work in Premier Inn hotels and beyond.<\/p>\n