St Andrews hospitality 'ambassadors' recruited
Six dedicated employees from businesses in and around St Andrews have undergone a special training programme to become 'ambassadors' for the local tourism, hospitality and leisure industry – a vital component of the north east Fife economy.
Springboard Scotland, the organisation which promotes careers in the industry, organised a programme for the willing volunteers, to help prepare them to become advocates for the tourism industry, encouraging young people in particular to pursue their careers locally.
The employees came from a range of organisations including St Andrew Links Trust, Sodexho Prestige, VisitScotland, the Scottish Deer Centre, the University of St Andrews and the Inn at Lathones.
The participants included an executive chef, residence manager, senior receptionist, senior ranger, food and beverage manager and customer services supervisor.
By the end of the programme the ambassadors were prepared to make presentations to a variety of audiences, such as school pupils, college students and parents, explaining to them just why they love their jobs and why the industry makes an excellent career choice in the 21st Century.
The new recruits join existing ambassadors from Historic Scotland, Rufflets Country House Hotel, Bonkers in St Andrews, Fairmont St Andrews, VisitScotland, the Deer Centre and University.
The existing ambassadors who trained earlier this year have been busy participating in the Springboard Scotland Internship Programme – designed to introduce fifth and sixth year pupils to structured employment and training opportunities within the industry.
The programme is supported by the St Andrews World Class initiative with input from Careers Scotland and JobCentre Plus.
The first formal event for the new intake of ambassadors will be at Tomorrow's Tourism: Choosing our Future conference. This is the annual conference for the tourism and hospitality industry in Fife, which will be held on 26 February 2008 at the Balbirnie House Hotel.
For more information on either the ambassador programme or the conference contact Carolyn Baird on 07724 112954.