ASPIRING hospitality staff have less than three weeks to apply for the latest round of “money can’t buy” scholarships from HIT Scotland.
The charity’s annual Emerging Talent scholarships offer people working in the Scottish hospitality industry the chance to develop their skills through work placements and learning opportunities.
Two special scholarships will again be awarded with SLTN.
Beverly Payne, chair of the scholarship committee and a director of The Collection Ltd, a hospitality management consultancy, said there’s already been a high level of interest in the sought-after opportunities.
And she urged others keen to develop their skills to apply online before applications close on November 30.
This year will see ten different types of scholarship awarded, including two enhanced SLTN scholarships.
The SLTN Entrepreneurial Scholarship will be awarded to an up and coming individual with the passion and ambition to create a new business.
It’s the first entrepreneurial scholarship to be awarded and the recipient will spend a week in London with Jillian Maclean, who established pub group Drake & Morgan in 2008 and has since grown it into a multi-million pound operation.
Meanwhile, the SLTN Revenue scholar will be taken under the wing of Heather Hart of RevExcel – an expert in helping businesses, teams and individuals enhance their revenue and commercial success.
Other 2012 scholarships include working with Michelin-starred chefs and award-winning sommeliers, courses at École hôtelière de Lausanne in Switzerland and the Disney Institute in Florida, and a ten-day placement at the six-star Jumeirah resort in Dubai.
HIT Scotland is also offering Frank Mullen scholarships, allowing people to create their own experience in line with their development objectives; and, for senior general managers, a ten-day programme at Cornell University’s school of hotel administration in New York.
Payne said she expected demand for the next batch of scholarships to be high.
“In this environment, when many businesses are cutting back on training, these scholarships offer fantastic opportunities,” she told SLTN.
“We’re so lucky that we’re supported by the industry and able to offer these opportunities.
“The way the economy is at the moment, youngsters are coming out of college and there aren’t many opportunities.
“It’s amazing how entrepreneurial young people are and we should be encouraging that.
“I think it will be fantastic for someone to spend a week with Jillian at Drake & Morgan.
“And Heather Hart is so knowledgeable when it comes to revenue management, which is fundamental to profitability and sustainability in our industry.
“I would urge anyone who hasn’t yet applied for a scholarship to do so before November 30.”
To apply visit www.hitscotland.co uk and follow the link.
