This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Tourism careers on the menu
17/03/2003
"Training and skills levels in the tourism industry are
integral to delivering a quality product and ensuring
Scotland's place as a must visit destination", Tourism
Minister Mike Watson said today.
The Minister stressed the need for the industry to
improve its reputation as an attractive career choice to
young people during a visit to Glasgow College of Food
Technology.
Mr Watson said:
"The tourism industry can offer a huge variety of career
opportunities to people of all ages and abilities yet it
continues to be tarnished by a false reputation
characterised be low pay, unsociable working hours and
stop-gap choices.
"Experience can be gained and careers built in
hospitality, retail, transport, travel and many more
disciplines at all levels through to senior management.
There are also opportunities for self-employment and
business start-ups.
"The level of skills and training in tourism is an
integral part of delivering a quality visitor experience
because VisitScotland analysis shows that many complaints
are focussed on staff performance and attitudes.
"To address this VisitScotland has established a working
group to develop a Strategy and Action Plan to improve and
co-ordinate industry skills and training. The foundation
that students gain through courses such as those offered by
Glasgow College of Food Technology are an ideal springboard
for lifetime learning and continued career development in
hospitality and tourism."
The Working Group which will improve and co-ordinate
industry skills and training will include: the Scottish
Executive, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Careers
Scotland, the Scottish Tourism Forum, Springboard Scotland,
as well as Tourist Boards and industry representatives.
The Scottish Executive's Tourism Framework for Action
Implementation Group, set up last year, is devising a
project aimed at ensuring basic attitudes towards skills
and training in the tourism sector improve.