Hospitality businesses in the Highlands and Islands have warned that the industry is suffering from serious staff shortages, reports The Herald today.
Date:
Mon, 16 Jan 2012
Source:
The Herald
The Herald:
Website
The newspaper states that a "lack of interest from young Scots and a diminishing immigrant workforce is leading to serious staff shortages", and quotes leading Skye operators Shirley Speak, owner of the award-winning Three Chimneys and Lady Claire Macdonald of the Michelin-starred Kinloch Lodge.
The internationally-renowned Three Chimneys, for example, has needed extra front-of-house workers for a year but has not been able to attract candidates.
Daniel MacIntyre, business development executive for Highlands and Islands at Scotland Food & Drink, is quoted: "In hospitality we are finding there is not a commitment to the service sector as a career even though Scotland has businesses with global reputations.
"Too many younger people view the industry as a temporary or stop-gap measure. I am aware of top rural hotels which are reliant on immigrant workers so if that population begins to dip that will be a major challenge."
Read The Herald's story in full.
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