Tourism and hospitality talent nurtured in new partnership

As part of Scottish Tourism Month, The Open University (OU) in Scotland has launched a new partnership with Hospitality Industry Trust (HIT) Scotland to develop tourism and hospitality talent. 

In partnership with the HIT Scholarship programme, 10 Scholars from across the country will this month begin studying for a fully-funded Microcredential course with the OU in Scotland.  

Supported by the Scottish Funding Council’s Upskilling Fund, they will have the opportunity to gain new specialist knowledge and skills in areas such as agile leadership, climate change and sustainability, people management, and accounting.  

A number of major hotel groups are supporting their staff to take part in the HIT Scholarship programme.

A number of major hotel groups are supporting their staff to take part in the HIT Scholarship programme, including the Cromlix Hotel, Crerar Hotels, Apex Hotels, Cameron House Hotel, Rusacks Hotel St Andrews, and luxury floating hotel Fingal.  

Other participants include members of staff from Scotland’s largest independent catering company Entier, multinational contract foodservice company Compass Group, and HIT Scotland itself. 

As part of the OU in Scotland’s support for the tourism and hospitality sector, it is planning to build its work with HIT Scotland into the university’s annual programme of work.  

Commenting on the partnership, David Allen, Senior Partnership Manager at the OU in Scotland, said:

“The HIT Scotland Scholarship programme is invaluable in supporting the country’s tourism and hospitality sector to nurture valuable talent and ensure the success of this integral part of the Scottish economy.  

“As the leading provider of innovative and flexible distance learning opportunities, we are delighted that the OU can play a role in supporting HIT Scotland’s work to broaden people’s skills and experience. We are confident that this work will ensure that we retain and attract more people in the industry, ensuring the country has a world-class hospitality and tourism workforce that is the envy of the world.”    

David Cochrane MBE, Chief Executive of HIT Scotland, commented:

"The HIT Scotland Scholarship programme is always looking for innovative and forward-thinking content to support the development of people within the hospitality industry in Scotland.  

“The range of the OU modules, coupled with the dynamic delivery mechanism, will be a real addition to the learning opportunities available to the emerging talent of our industry." 

The HIT Scholarship programme is open to anyone in Scotland working in the industry or studying towards a career in hospitality.

The HIT Scholarship programme is open to anyone in Scotland working in the industry or studying towards a career in hospitality.

Tailored to individual’s learning and development needs, the scholarships are aimed at giving people the opportunity to gain new skills and knowledge, alongside learning best practice and inspiring fresh thinking.  

To learn more about HIT Scotland Scholarships visit: https://hitscotland.co.uk/scholarships.

More information about the Microcredentials on offer from the OU in Scotland can be found here: https://www.open.ac.uk/courses/choose/scotland-micro. 

21 March 2023