Background information on YHA
So why work at YHA ?
We have a passion for what we do. Our mission is: to inspire all, especially young people, to broaden their horizons gaining knowledge and independence through new experiences of adventure and discovery.
We operate a network of hostels in England and Wales. Working for YHA provides an exciting opportunity to work seasonally or all year round outside of the normal 9 to 5, to live and work in a buzzing city centre or stunning coastal or countryside location. We welcome people from all communities, indeed our employees represent 40 different nationalities.
We celebrated our 80thanniversary last year and have a long tradition of inclusivity and sociability. In 2011 we are family friendly, offering smaller family rooms and fantastic value food and beverage options. Our breadth of activities at hostels has expanded to encourage a spirit of adventure.
We are proud of YHA. All employees receive free membership and may stay at hostels free of charge. Our employee benefits package, YHA Rewards, includes a health cash plan, cycle-to-work scheme, childcare vouchers and retail discounts. Plus all staff have enhanced annual leave entitlement.
We take employee development seriously and gained Investors In People Silver award in 2011. We run a training calendar, management development centres, and development plans.
Employees can get involved in volunteering and make a difference to the lives of young people. Those who have public duties commitments may take up to 10 days paid leave and employees can volunteer internally at YHA and take 5 days paid leave. We are a charity and actively fundraise for our own YHA bursary fund 'Break 4 Kids'.
We have strong values that embody the SPIRIT of YHA. You can nominate a colleague for truly living one of our 6 SPIRIT values through our quarterly YHA SPIRIT Awards for employees and volunteers. We have a Green SPIRIT plan to help us share our environmental objectives and achievements.
YHA is fun to work in. Employees can feedback through our people forums and say what it’s like on our social networking website, YHA Social World. Our employees talk about YHA being like a family resulting in great loyalty and commitment. Here’s what they’ve said:
"Like any job, the work here can be hard at times, but I like the fact that there is a good mix of tasks and you never get bored."
"The shift patterns work well, I have set days off and where possible finish the week on an early and start on a late which can be really handy when I go to visit friends."
"The guests and groups are all so very different, some are really interesting, good fun and a laugh. They each bring their own set of different needs and wants."
"The main benefit of the job financially is the live-in package and personally I enjoy the flexibility of the seasonal positions. Also, we can move from hostel to hostel within the network each season to experience different places."
And this is where it all began:
YHA started in Liverpool, where the first meeting was held to kick-start a movement offering cheap accommodation in dormitory style arrangements. As YHA evolved as a joint initiative between rambling, cycling and youth organisations, so the movement expanded across England and Wales with separate associations for Scotland and Ireland.
More recently, YHA has embarked on a modernisation strategy and has broadened its reach with the introduction of Do it 4 Real summer camps and Learn 4 Real education visits.
Now, against a completely re-vamped profile and image, YHA welcomes individual travellers, families, school and youth groups and has records in excess of 2 million overnight stays each year.
Key facts about the YHA:
- We are open to all - individual travellers, families, school and youth groups
- We run a network of 200 Youth Hostels, bunkhouses and camping barns, in stunning rural, coastal and city locations
- We have over 200,000 members
- We are supported by 3,000 voluntary workers
- We employ 1,200 employees including 600 seasonal employees
- We have an annual turnover of circa £38.5 million
- We are one of Britain's top 50 charities
- We welcome visitors from 80 different nations each year
- Last year 77,000 bottle of local ales were sold throughout all of the licensed hostels.
- Last year we sold £1million worth of breakfast.
So if you didnt know much about us, you do now!
We look forward to welcoming you to YHA either as a candidate or as a guest soon.