Catering Scotland

Dundee has been announced as the host for Scotland’s third Scottish Big Hospitality Conversation. The event, to be held at the city’s Apex Hotel on 26^th January, will also double as a platform to pledge for 100 new jobs and over 200 apprenticeships and work placements for young people aged 16-24.

Led by the British Hospitality Association (BHA) in a UK-wide partnership with Springboard and the Department for Work and Pensions, the 2016 fixture will follow on from last year’s event in Glasgow (pictured), after which 65 apprenticeships, 180 work experience placements and almost 100 new jobs were created.

The Big Conversation initiative, which began in 2012, aims to  create 60,000 hospitality career starts for young people in the UK by the end of this year.

Willie Macleod, executive director of the BHA Scotland said: ‘Our aim for this year is to build on the success of the previous two events held in Glasgow and Edinburgh, and to bring together over 70 businesses and around 100 young people to highlight the wide range of training, qualifications and long-term career opportunities across all areas of the industry.

‘Collectively, we are committed to pledging up to 100 new jobs and 200 apprenticeships and work placements on the day, which is why we are urging young people to come along and find out more about working in this vibrant industry.’

Anne Pierce, chief executive of Springboard, added: ‘It is recognised that work experience plays a key part in influencing a person’s career choice and this is why we are taking a lead role in this initiative.’

Businesses wishing to attend are invited to register at http://bit.ly/BHCdundee. Job seekers can register at http://bit.ly/BHCdundeejs.