HIT Scotland announced that it is more than doubling the number of scholarships it offers to support Scotland's £4.4 billion tourism, hospitality and catering industry.

HIT Scotland have announced that it is more than doubling the number of scholarships it offers to support Scotland's £4.4 billion tourism, hospitality and catering industry.

The statement came as part of the Hospitality Industry Trust (HIT) Scotland's annual Emerging Talent Conference. Taking place at the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena, the event, now in its fourth year, is Scotland's only conference established to reward and encourage the development of tomorrow’s hospitality industry leaders.

Coming from across Scotland, 400 students, employees and managers heard the 191 individuals chosen for this year’s scholarship programme; more than double last year's programme. Emerging Talent Scholarships are awarded to employees and final year students who demonstrate they have the commitment to drive Scotland's hospitality or catering industry forward. 

Delegates at the HIT Scotland's Emerging Talent Conference included Mr Jim Mather MSP, Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism, who opened the event and host Fred MacAulay. Alan Sugar’s former Apprentice and Founder of the Bright Ideas Trust, Tim Campbell and Charles Allen CBE, Chairman of the Nations and Regions Group for the London 2012 Games, were present to offer their advice to the future leaders of the industry.

Tourism Minister Jim Mather said: 

“Scotland’s tourism industry is full of talent. From the B&B owner on Skye to the director of a major Scottish tourism business, the talent within our industry is second to none.

“But if our industry is to continue to flourish, we need a new generation of young talent. A new generation who can take our industry to the next level in years to come. 

“The Hospitality Industry Trust Scotland is doing a fantastic job in encouraging our emerging talent into the industry, and I am delighted that they are doubling the number of scholarships they are offering across the country. 

“You only need to look at the incredible young talent in the room today to see the good work that is being done. The future looks bright for Scottish tourism.”

At a time when the Government’s ambition to grow tourism revenues by 50% by 2015, Emerging Talent Scholarships offer paid for placements with development chefs, top hotels and bespoke experiences. The top awards see scholars travel to 6* resorts in Dubai and the Disney Institute in Florida in order to bring back best practice and fresh ideas to Scotland.

The Hospitality Industry Trust is a Scottish charity designed to help hospitality industry workers realise their full potential through scholarships, conferences and training placements. This year's scholarship programme is expected to cost in the region of £125,000. This is in addition to a £105,000 Bursary Fund which HIT Scotland awarded late last year to universities and colleges to help students who face financial difficulty.

David Cochrane, Chief Executive of HIT Scotland, said: 

"We have a good pool of applicants coming into hospitality, tourism and catering jobs. However, there is a need to show talented individuals that the industry can meet their ambitions. With nearly 400 applicants for our scholarship programme this year, the demand for personal development is plain to see. We need to encourage emerging talent if we want to continue to develop Scottish hospitality and maintain our place in the global tourism market."

Charles Allen, Chairman of London 2012’s Nations and Regions Group said: 

“The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are an opportunity to be seized both on and off the sporting field. The Games present a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the UK’s visitor economy both before them, during them and after the final race has been won. The opportunity of the London 2012 Games, coupled with Glasgow’s winning bid to host the Commonwealth Games in 2014 means Scotland’s visitor economy could be set for a golden decade. The next generation of hospitality leaders recognised at the HIT conference today will be responsible for securing these benefits for Scotland. I wish them every success for the future”.

Tim Campbell said: 

“It is a great privilege for me to add my contribution to the fantastic work of the HIT Scotland Charitable Trust. By giving talented individuals the much needed opportunity to reach their full potential their work is not just adding to the skills of Scotland’s excellent hospitality industry but more importantly changing people’s lives for the better. The Trust proves that supporting emerging talent is the key for thriving, sustainable industries and the result of their work speaks for itself.”

 

Further information:

> HIT Scotland - Hospitality Industry Trust Scotland  

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