Business Focus: Highland hospitality sector can give new workers valuable lifelong skills, says SCDI north representative
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by Grant Campbell, SCDI's regional manager for the Highlands and Islands
As our emergence from the pandemic is mirrored by the budding daffodils and snowdrops, and the first signs of spring, the growing optimism for the large number of tourism and hospitality businesses in the region is increasingly tempered by the ongoing issue of labour and skills shortages.
Brexit has undoubtedly played a role in the reduction of foreign nationals who in the past have been only too happy to work in the Highlands but perhaps the most surprising element in the skills shortage is the lack of local talent who want to take up these roles.
As someone who developed my own skills in a hospitality business for many years, the lifelong lessons and learnings I took from it have always been invaluable.
I see this sector as a great opportunity for people of all ages to engage in meaningful and fair work with the extra reward of being ambassadors for the businesses and communities they represent.
It’s pleasing to hear of the initiatives members in this sector are using to invest in people and talent attraction.
Many see the future of the industry being reliant on tourists understanding that increased costs will deliver higher-quality experiences from fairer businesses.
The discerning traveller will insist on these standards and sustainable businesses will come to depend on it.
The fair work agenda is high on the national strategy and we are delighted that this has been a focus for our regional productivity clubs throughout the month of March.
As I travel the region meeting member businesses of all sizes, it always strikes me that people are recognised as the key and fair work practices are always at the heart of a successful rural business.
Earlier this month we hosted the new transport minister Jenny Gilruth for a members’ lunch.
The members in attendance were delighted to hear the commitment for the A9 dualling and the improvements to the A96 are still at the forefront of government strategy and spending.
The importance of these projects for regional economic growth cannot be overstated.
