A LOCAL hospitality worker has been accepted onto a prestigious national talent programme.
Laura Ayton, part of the staff team at the Knockderry Country House Hotel in Cove, has been accepted onto the National Hospitality Talent Programme, a brand-new training initiative launched to support and develop talent within Scotland’s crisis hit tourism and hospitality industries.
With the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, the hospitality industry has taken a beating over the past year as businesses in Helensburgh and Lomond, and elsewhere, do everything they can to stay afloat, and workers do everything they can to survive.
More than 2,000 applications were submitted to the course, which is delivered by the Hospitality Industry Trust Scotland and the Scottish Tourism Alliance, with only 950 places available, meaning acceptance onto the programme has come as a huge boost for Laura’s career.
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Laura, who has worked at Knockderry for more than 15 years, told the Advertiser: “I feel very honoured to have been one of the lucky few chosen to take part in the HIT Scotland Management and Leadership course.
“This past year has been a real struggle for the tourism and hospitality industry so I’m looking forward to learning new skills to help aid not only the recovery of the industry, but to motivate and engage the fabulous team we have here at Knockderry for the future.”
Laura’s manager, Beth MacLeod, was also excited for what this could mean for Laura, and Knockderry House.
Beth, who owns the hotel with her husband Murdo, told the Advertiser: “Given the very difficult time hospitality staff have had in the last year, we are delighted that Laura has been given this opportunity.
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“Managing and leading teams that have been furloughed for so long is a real challenge and so we are delighted that Laura will be able to refresh her skills prior to us reopening this season.
“The course will give her the chance to mix with other professionals and gain insights from colleagues around the country.
“Hospitality in Scotland has taken a huge hit over last year through lockdowns and restrictions leading to staff redundancies and in some cases, businesses having to close.
“Knockderry House, like many other small hospitality providers across the country, are dependent on the coming summer tourist to see them through.
“This initiative is therefore most welcome as it provides direct support to our staff as we prepare to reopen.”
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