Macdonald Hotels is planning to provide training for up to 400 unemployed young people as part of a Government backed scheme.
The hotel and resort operator said those it takes on will spend 16-weeks learning about various aspects of the hospitality industry.
After an initial four week period individuals will be given scope to choose which areas to spend the rest of their time training in.
Macdonald Hotels said senior managers across its portfolio will take on mentoring duties as part of the Future Talent programme.
The initiative is open to unemployed people aged between 16 and 24. They will not be paid during the training period but will remain on benefits.
Apprenticeship firm Total People will also deliver theory based lessons to the candidates for around two days each week.
A total of 17 Macdonald hotels are taking part in the initiative with three of those in Scotland.
They are the Macdonald Holyrood in Edinburgh, Crutherland House near East Kilbride and the Inchyra at Polmont.
After the four month training period is completed Macdonald hopes to place the young people in its own vacancies or apprenticeship programmes.
Kellie Rixon, brand director at Macdonald Hotels, said: “Where university doesn’t appeal to school leavers, or graduates are looking for a change of career, Macdonald Hotels & Resorts is offering young people a fully rounded, high quality, introduction to a career in the hospitality industry.
“As a leading name within the sector, we’re committed to providing real opportunities for people to enter employment. The training is rigorous, but participants will have access to some of the best in the business, putting them on a genuine path to success.”
The company has recently launched its own spa and chef academy in a bid to help train its next generation of staff.
Speaking when Macdonald announced strong annual results earlier this month Gordon Fraser, deputy chairman and group finance director, said the investment in people was a key part of the group’s strategy.
He said: “We want to reward and retain these people so they can have a career at Macdonald Hotels.”
The results, which covered the 12 months to April 2, showed turnover had increased seven per cent from £145.5m to £155.7m with Macdonald highlighting the boost it had received from events such as The Ryder Cup, Commonwealth Games, The Open and the Farnborough Air Show.
Operating profit in the period rose 11 per cent from £15.3m to £16.9m. Pre-tax profit dipped from £3.63m to £2.7m which the company said was mainly because of higher interest charges as a result of the accounting treatment of a lease.
The Future Talent scheme offers a range of apprenticeships, training programmes and courses for those aged between 16 and 24.
Macdonald is owned by its executives with founder Donald Macdonald and his family trust the principal shareholder.
Lloyds Banking Group agreed to convert its shares into loan notes as part of a re-financing last year.
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