Group aims to boost training opportunities in Highland hospitality
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An Inverness social entrepreneur is well on his way to establishing a community company to help disadvantaged people.
Jordan MacDonald (25) has already received the backing of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), the Social Enterprise Academy and industry professionals as he sets up the Unorthodox Project which will help to rebuild the hospitality and tourism sector after the pandemic
Mr MacDonald, from Merkinch, said he has seen the way in which lives can be turned around when given the opportunity to make a change.
He said: "We are in the process of setting up the Unorthodox Project to provide opportunities for people to gain experiences in the hospitality industry and hopefully gain confidence in building their own skills.
"We will be working with a series of venues throughout the north to offer a range of experiences and this will lead to qualifications for people to secure long-term employment.
"We want to help change people's lives. The opportunities that we offer will pay the real living wage for a mixture of work and qualifications."
The Unorthodox Project business plan has already been welcomed by HIE, who is now working with Mr MacDonald to support him in achieving his aims.
He continued: "The company will benefit the community and no one person."
"The Scottish Government, over the last ten years has taken radical steps to develop the educational sectors. Some of the most promising have been the major development of vocational qualification, their recognition and accessibility.
"Although these qualifications are growing in popularity, they are usually dominated by the sector. Those employers who do opt to develop their
teams, usually do it as far as government funding will allow. I mean; who’s got money to spend on someone who is going to leave soon anyway? "That is why I think that someone, like The Unorthodox Project, need to take a social responsibility to take a conscious step into understanding it’s about something bigger than them.
"Frankly, businesses can’t afford to put all their staff through training. It’s not an expense they expected, they have loans, shareholders, directors dividends to think about. As social as any company can be, the bottom line always trumps staff development.
"This project, is our way of creating real opportunities within the hospitality industry. It’s developing the workforce, supporting vulnerable groups within the community and rebuilding the hospitality sector brick by brick post Covid–19."
Mr MacDonald is currently looking for board members who have a background in mental health and accountancy. He can be contacted on contact@theunorthodoxproject.org.
Read more about the hospitality industry by clicking here.
