Crieff Hydro helps staff onto management path

Five members of hospitality staff at Crieff Hydro hotels in Scotland have graduated from a management training course.

The trainee manager programme allows staff who are eager to move up into management to learn the ropes. The one-year programme gives participants experience working in each department of their hotel as well as the opportunity to work at other Crieff Hydro hotels.

Participants also complete an SVQ in Management at SCQF Level 7 and are guaranteed a management role on completion of the course. A further five staff are currently undergoing the training programme.

The graduates are filling roles including assistant banqueting, events manager, front office manager and HR Assistant across the various hotels.

Stephen Leckie, chairman and CEO, said: “There are no entry requirements for the programme, just passion, a willingness to learn, work hard and succeed.

“We see a mix of existing members of staff who are keen to progress as well as new recruits. It provides the opportunity to take the first step into hospitality management and sees lots of our graduates really flourish within the business.”

Leckie added: “At the end of the course, each participant meets with our Head of Recruitment and the General Manager of their hotel to look at their strengths and interests to find the right role for them.”

Paola Baverel, front office manager, said: “Throughout my training, I had the chance to work at some of our fantastic hotels including Peebles Hydro, Crieff Hydro, and The Park Hotel in Peebles. I also had the opportunity to gain experience in different departments including 1881 Distillery at Peebles Hydro, food and beverage, and finance.

“I loved the trainee manager program as it allowed me to experience aspects of the business, I may never have had the chance to see otherwise and helped to prepare me for my new front office manager role at Crieff Hydro.”