Help for aspiring managers

11:36am Thursday 14th February 2008

TOURISM and hospitality businesses in Somerset are set to benefit from The Aspiring Managers Development Programme 08-09, developed by the Tourism Skills Network South-West.

The programme starts in April and aims to develop first-line managers into tourism leaders of the future through a year-long development journey, with training specifically tailored to tourism, leisure and hospitality professionals.

The Aspiring Managers Programme is endorsed by the Institute of Hospitality.

It covers all of the management skills expected from any top level management course, but also features experienced professionals who share their first-hand knowledge and know-how' with the group.

Learning is consolidated through group sessions, where a close support network of peers address issues they are tackling in their workplace and share possible approaches.

The South West of England Regional Development Agency, as one of the principal investors in the Tourism Skills Network, recognises that tourism is vital to the future economic success of the region. In 2005 the South-West region attracted more than 23 million visitors, contributing £4.7billion pounds to our economy.

With such a high volume of tourists, South-West England needs to ensure that those working in the tourism industry have the right skills so that visitors want to come back again and again.

Wendy Samuel, skills director at the Tourism Skills Network said: "We are delighted by the excellent feedback from both delegates and their managers this year which confirms that we are addressing an important gap within the industry.

"Due to an increase in demand for the Aspiring Managers Programme we are very pleased to be running three groups across the region in 2008 enabling more businesses in the South West to benefit."

For details, call 01275-370913 or click on the link below.