HIT seeks for stars of Scotland

The Hospitality Industry Trust (HIT) Scotland has started its search for the future stars of Scotland's hospitality sector.

Up to 200 Emerging Talent Scholarships are available for Scottish people working in the hospitality industry.

The scheme sends scholars around the globe and the UK on fully funded training courses and work placements to improve the hospitality trade in Scotland.

As well as bringing back new skills and best practice to Scotland, the scheme aims to improve staff retention across the industry, raise aspirations and encourage professional development.

Anyone working in the hospitality, tourism, leisure or travel industries can apply by logging onto www.hitscotland.org. Students in the final year of an industry-focused course can also enter for a student scholarship.

The competitive scholarship programme looks to reward people who are ready to take the next step in their career and have a commitment to driving standards in Scottish hospitality. The initial application process is managed online. Successful applicants undergo a second stage of telephone or face-to-face interviews.

Previous recipients have taken courses at the Disney Institute in Florida, Ecole du Hotelier in Lausanne, Switzerland, and Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration in New York State.

Examples of work placements range from weeks spent at six star resorts in Dubai or Singapore to the Eden Project in Cornwall. Closer to home young chefs spend time under the tutorage of Willie Pike, Masterchef at the Lochgreen House Hotel in Ayrshire, or in England at a Gordon Ramsay restaurant.

David Cochrane, Chief Executive of HIT Scotland, said: "Over the last four years, we have awarded over 300 Emerging Talent Scholarships. Scholars come back full of renewed appreciation for Scottish hospitality and their careers. By offering these scholarships, we find people to inspire others in their career as well and help improve the whole industry."

Words: Maria Bracken

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