Managers to train on the Internet

British restaurant and hotel managers are set to take training courses at a new university that operates chiefly on the Internet.

Marriott International and the Pelican Group are among the first groups to sign up for the University for Industry Hospitality Worldwide, launched this month. Backed by the British Hospitality Association and the HCIMA, it can be used by individuals or companies.

Students will tackle specific company issues, and successful candidates can obtain a diploma, degree or Master of Arts qualification. In September, 20 managers from Pelican Group's Café Rouge restaurants in Birmingham and London will begin a postgraduate course in management studies.

And on Monday, Marriott International's top training directors are to meet in London to discuss how to run the courses in different parts of the world.

The course is being directed by Professor Richard Teare, of Oxford Brookes University, who said that, although large companies were already signing up, "the real challenge is to convince the 80% of managers working in smaller organisations".

A postgraduate certificate course will last for 40 weeks and will cost individuals about £1,200.