EVENTS
CALENDAR

The Grampian Dinner

28th October 2010
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The Edinburgh Lunch

5th November 2010
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The London Lunch

25th November 2010
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The Christmas Party

2nd December 2010
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Scholarship applications now open

28th October 2009

The Hospitality Industry Trust (HIT) Scotland is welcoming applications for a £100,000 scholarship scheme to help leisure, hospitality, travel, catering and tourism businesses in Scotland inspire their employees during the recession.

The Emerging Talent Scholarship scheme rewards 200 ambitious and talented individuals through world class training courses and money can’t buy learning experiences.

The competitive scholarship programme looks to reward and recognise people who are ready to take the next step in their career and have a commitment to driving aspirations in Scottish hospitality. On their return they are expected to share their experiences with colleagues and raise the bar for the industry as a whole.

Previous recipients have attended the Disney Institute in Florida, Ecole du Hotelier in Lausanne, Switzerland, and Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration in New York State. Aspiring chefs have been placed in Michelin starred kitchens and sommeliers with top wine experts. HR, marketing and events staff are also covered through the scheme

Organisers believe that the programme could potentially return over a million pounds through new skills, promoting best practice, improving staff retention across the industry and raising aspirations to encourage professional development.

In Scotland the leisure, hospitality, travel and tourism sectors represent over 200,000 people working in one of 17,000 businesses. This accounts for one in ten workers in an industry generating over four billion to the Scottish economy. As 75% of companies in the industry employ fewer than ten members of the staff, HIT Scotland are encouraging smaller operators to apply. This includes bars, restaurants, travel operators and visitor attractions.

The scholarships will be awarded at the emerging talent conference on the 3rd February 2010 at Perth Concert Hall.

David Cochrane, Chief Executive of HIT Scotland, said:

“In the short term the emerging talent scholarships help stretch hard training budgets and through scholars sharing their experiences with colleagues. Individuals benefit from the prestige of the award and the new skills they develop. In the longer term the scholarship programme aims to find and nurture the next generation of leaders, the people who will push the industry forward for the next half century.

Entries close on the 11th December 2009.

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