THE programme – upskilling workers for the new visitor economy

The new Tourism, Hospitality & Events (THE) programme is well underway at @BordersCollege and is proving a popular choice for supervisors, managers and people with aspirations for a career in this sector.

The programme is currently being offered via a partnership between Borders College and SRUC, with the specific aim to support the economic recovery of establishments within Tourism, Hospitality and Events sectors in Scotland.

We caught up with Borders College Lecturer Viv Key to talk about the course, who said:

“With the current demand for domestic tourism soaring, it is important for those working within the sector to have comprehensive tourism training. Our aim is to aid Scotland’s readiness for the post-lockdown recovery.

“THE Programme is a collection of high-quality, flexible courses that are delivered online so that students can fit their studies around their busy jobs. We have 13 students on the programme, which is specifically aimed at those already working within the tourism, hospitality and events sectors. It provides a platform for upskilling and for those returning to work after furlough, helping to get them job-ready.”

The course is available to anyone in Scotland, not matter where you live. Student Elle Tyler, who is based in Nairn in the Highlands, is a self-employed Tour Guide and was looking to improve her skills in the sector. She commented on the course on her completion, saying:

“The course was great for me, as I acquired the knowledge to develop new “niche” tours and how to market them. It will also help us to grow our brand and to get a better understanding of entrepreneurship and how to embrace it.

“I think the holistic approach was very good, helping me improve my skill set and improve our business from the inside and out.”

Fellow student Sharon Tolson is based in Langholm in Dumfries and Galloway and had this to say about the course:

“I’m confident that the programme will help me upskill and keep up with the ever-changing digital world. I thoroughly enjoyed listening and joining in the conversations around every topic and learning from the other participants as much as the individual topics themselves.”