InterContinental Hotels Group has confirmed it will create nearly 3,000 new jobs across its 275 UK hotels over the next three years, including over 1,100 new jobs this year. IHG also announced the launch of its newest hospitality training Academy in London. The announcement was welcomed by the deputy prime minister Nick Clegg, who attended the launch of the IHG Academy programme at the soon to open Holiday Inn London Stratford City. The new hotel is one of four IHG hotels in the area that will be creating new jobs, for which students of the IHG Academy programme can apply. Clegg said: “It’s fantastic to see IHG growing its UK business and creating 3,000 new jobs. “The British service sector is world-beating, and will soon welcome millions of guests to enjoy London 2012. But reaching this gold standard needs investment in people. “IHG are leading the way in their sector through a tailored academy programme. Holiday Inn, part of the IHG family of brands, is the official hotel provider to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. As part of its Olympic legacy, IHG has launched a new hospitality training academy in partnership with Newham College in one of the Games’ host boroughs. With two new hotels to be built in time for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, successful students will be prize candidates for some of the 140 new jobs being created in the local area as the new hotels open.