Applications are now open for the 2009 Hospitality Industry Trust (HIT) Scotland Emerging Talent Scholarships. This year, the charity is offering up to 200 scholarships, representing an estimated million pounds of investment towards developing future industry leaders.
The scholarships are open to anyone working in Scotland's hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism industries. The programme aims to improve aspirations and broaden horizons by placing scholars on world-class fully funded training and work placements.
Applicants have the opportunity to attend courses at Cornell University, the Disney Institute in Florida and the Lausanne Hotel School in Switzerland. Work placements are with leading chefs and hoteliers in the UK and abroad, including the six star Jumeirah Group in Dubai.
Places are awarded to people seeking to make a significant difference to the perception of Scottish Hospitality and bring fresh thinking to Scotland. Emerging talent scholarships offer a unique opportunity to experience the very best and promote the need to continually update skills and promote the industry as a career choice.
David Cochrane, Chief Executive of HIT Scotland, said: “Over the last 10 years the hospitality industry has to help over 8,000 young people develop their careers through bursaries and scholarships. Being able to offer a million pounds of scholarship funding is a serious commitment from our sponsors and supporters to improving standards and ultimately helping grow the value of the industry."
HIT Scotland funds the scholarship programme through fundraising events, corporate backing and external funding sources. Part-sponsored scholarships are available for companies wanting to invest in one of their own future leaders.
For more detail on Emerging Talent Scholarships or to apply visit www.hitscotland.org
Application deadline is Sunday 30th November.
The Scholarships are divided into six categories:
- Student Scholarships place young people in Scotland’s finest hotel and restaurants to give them the best possible start to their career. They are available to final year students on hospitality or catering related courses.
- Chefs with an ambition to one-day head their own kitchen should apply for a Craft Scholarship where they can experience life in a top kitchen. Last year, many scholars spent one-week resident with Master Chef Willie Pike at Lochgreen House in Troon.
- One day most members of staff will be responsible for looking after a team. If that day is approaching soon then a Young Manager scholarship can provide the necessary training and confidence. Successful Scholars can find themselves on courses in Switzerland, training days in the UK or on a weekend tour of Scottish distilleries.
- Middle Management Scholarships are for those who already have some management experience. As well as attending senior courses in Lausanne, middle management scholars can find themselves learning at Disneyland in Florida or working in Dubai.
- Trialled last year, the Leadership Scholarships took three senior managers to Ivy League University Cornell in the USA to attend their School of Hotel Administration, considered the world’s best by Newsweek. Only General Mangers or above can apply.
- The Frank Mullen Scholarship is open to anyone with an idea for a novel scholarship. From working on the French Rivera or to training with emerging technology, if there is a particular part of hospitality that would be interesting to explore then this bespoke scholarship is for you.
