A training academy for people working in the hospitality and tourism sector is now up and running in the newly developed Aviemore Highland Resort, offering quality training at a variety of levels from one-day courses to nationally recognised qualifications.

Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey Enterprise (INBSE) has assisted with £50,000 funding to provide training opportunities at the Aviemore Highland Training Academy for people working in the hospitality and tourism sector to gain SVQs to develop their careers.

The training is being provided and managed by North Highland College (NHC), which is part of the UHI Millennium Institute, and so far there are 31 candidates signed up.

The Academy is based in the hotels and business centres of the new Macdonald Aviemore Highland Resort. The use of this facility provides students with on-the-job training in a real-life resort environment in addition to formal learning. The courses cover a wide range of topics including hospitality, catering, customer service, retail, food preparation and bar service.

In addition to those undertaking SVQs, the Academy is also providing a series of short courses through the Hospitality Passport programme, which is devised and run by NHC and includes courses such as the Meal Experience, Welcome Host and first aid.

The aim is for the Academy to achieve an international reputation for high quality hospitality training. In the longer term, it plans to cater for more than 200 people and offer degree and post-graduate courses through its partnership with the UHI Millennium Institute and associated partners.
 
Alan Jones, director of training at the Aviemore Highland Resort, said: "This phase of training, with NHC, is one of many that will help build the reputation of the Macdonald Aviemore Highland Resort as a unique place to learn and gain experience in the hospitality industry. The continuing development of training at the Aviemore Academy has the potential to benefit all hospitality businesses in the local area through courses and the realistic on-the-job training of a wide range of people associated with the industry."

Stuart Black, chief executive of INBSE, said: "The tourism sector is vital to the Badenoch and Strathspey economy and we recognise the importance of investing in skills to ensure we can compete in an increasingly competitive marketplace. The Academy will provide local businesses with a more highly skilled workforce, the trainees will have better career prospects and the customer experience will be enhanced."

Rosemary Thompson, Principal of North Highland College, said: "The college is delighted to be working with the Highlands and Islands Enterprise network in this flagship venture at Aviemore Highland resort by assisting 50 new apprentices to achieve success in their chosen career. Tourism is a key industry for the Highlands and Islands and the standards set at the resort will become a benchmark for the area."