By Insider.co.uk
Copyright insider
If you were to read the papers today, you would come away with a vision of a hospitality sector in crisis.
And, while there are no doubt challenges to overcome, there are plenty of opportunities for development and innovation in Scottish hospitality, opening possibilities to both tackle these obstacles and build a more robust, resilient industry.
Scotland’s hospitality industry’s strength and longevity lie in its dynamism and willingness to rise to a challenge, and this must be the case now. With its future on the line, the industry must search within to identify and address skills gaps, innovate to tackle challenges and take on new opportunities to pave the way for a prosperous future.
One such opportunity is Hospitality Industry Trust (HIT) Scotland’s new Executive & Leadership Development Programme, which sees £3m of investment go toward up-skilling senior level executives and leaders in the sector.
Scotland’s hospitality leaders have long been overlooked in workforce development strategies, depriving senior-level executives of valuable management training. Indeed, HIT Scotland’s own research suggests that 95% of senior managers would welcome training opportunities to advance their leadership skills.
While hands-on abilities remain high, the absence of structured leadership programmes has resulted in ineffective hospitality managers who oftentimes lack the expertise or confidence to address critical issues.
The effects of neglecting senior level executives are far-reaching. High staff turnover, poor quality service, heightened business costs and low staff morale are all consequences of overlooking the development of senior hospitality talent.
Entry-level professionals also suffer from the lack of effective mentorship or guidance, contributing to skills stagnation and limiting the industry’s ability to progress.
While Scottish hospitality navigates many pressures outwith its control, this is an area we can – and should – address.
Funded by The Crerar Trust, industry donations and business contributions, the programme is a pioneering initiative seeking to equip senior-level executives with the leadership skills, operational abilities and strategic thinking to meet the demands of modern executive leadership, to anticipate future challenges and to uplift the industry as it continues to evolve.
Founded on industry research and business insights looking into existing skills gaps within senior-level executives, it covers areas including artificial intelligence, ethical conduct, effective people management and financial management. A combination of world-class expertise, rich module content and practical, applied learning will address the demands of the modern hospitality leader, and in doing so, foster a more progressive industry that can adapt to changing times with confidence and agility.
Addressing its leadership vulnerabilities will strengthen Scottish hospitality on the global stage, positioning the industry as a champion of its people and pioneer of skills development.
The programme is a chance to tackle some of the immediate obstacles the industry faces and importantly, pave the way for a future where professionals of all stages feel supported, inspired and motivated to deliver the best to consumers.
Critically, it shows the industry collaborating and investing in itself, embodying everything that Scottish hospitality represents: generosity of spirit, service excellence, creativity and innovation.
Hospitality is at the heart of Scottish communities, strengthening economies, creating human communications, attracting global visitors and establishing Scotland’s respected and beloved reputation.
Preserving this requires investment, development and a willingness to grasp new opportunities. By prioritising leadership development, we set the industry up for long term success, able to withstand the pressures of today and build a brighter future.
David Cochrane MBE is the chief executive of the Hospitality Industry Trust Scotland
