MACDONALD Inchyra Hotel & Spa in Falkirk is inviting past students through its doors to celebrate the 10th anniversary of its Hospitality Academy initiative.
The joint venture with Positive Qualities, supported by Skills Development Scotland and Falkirk Council, offers young people an opportunity to gain quality experience in the hospitality industry and a route into a career.
The Hospitality Academy initiative has seen over 300 students graduate, with 150 successfully securing jobs over the ten years it has been running at Inchyra, including Chef Peter Meechan, winner of UK Young Chef of the Year 2022, Jack Marsters Bar, Conference and Banqueting Manager and Scott Kirkwood Leisure & Spa Assistant Manager, both at Inchyra.
Students of the scheme are offered an assortment of placements and work experience in a variety of positions around the hotel, including front of house, food & beverage, and housekeeping, maintenance, Leisure and Spa allowing them to develop a range of skills alongside experienced members of staff.
All students are invited to return to Inchyra to celebrate the decade of success with a drinks reception on Thursday 17 August between 6–9 pm. The event will also welcome special guests, to recognise the venture’s and the past student’s achievements.
The success of the initiative has resulted in plans to extend it into fellow Macdonald Hotels and Resorts including Houstoun House near Edinburgh, Crutherland House Hotel in East Kilbride and Macdonald Aviemore Resort. Each will benefit from the Hospitality Academy giving local young people great experiences and a boost in career opportunities within the hospitality industry.
Jack Masters completed Hospitality Academy in 2017 and is currently Bar, Conference and Banqueting Manager at Inchyra Hotel & Spa.
Jack, said: “For various reasons, I really struggled to get a job after school and didn’t have any relevant experience, so to be given this chance was something I have always been incredible grateful for.
“The 12 week course provided a great insight to the various roles and fantastic experience, and I’ve since been promoted from bar supervisor to manager with my latest role covering events for up to 300 people.
“For anyone considering joining the company and taking a role in hospitality, I would say, do it! It has really changed my life and the support from managers and supervisors at Inchyra has allowed me to be in the position I am today.”
Brett Ingle, General Manager at Macdonald Inchyra Hotel & Spa, said: “We are proud to celebrate the 10th anniversary of our Hospitality Academy, which has allowed young people in Falkirk to forge careers in our industry that they may not have otherwise had the chance to.
“It will be wonderful to see the students who have graduated from the Hospitality Academy return to celebrate this milestone with us, alongside our invited guests, who will help us acknowledge the fantastic steps these young people have taken since being part of our programme. Their success, and that of the initiative, means we are now seeking to expand and introduce it to new locations.
“I am grateful to Positive Qualities for taking part in this joint venture with us, and the support from Skills Development Scotland and Falkirk Council. Here’s to the next 10 years of Hospitality Academy.”
To find out more visit www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/inchyra.
