STA Update: The Open University becomes an official Patron sponsor of the Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA)
The Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA), the largest member organisation for tourism businesses in Scotland, is very pleased to announce that it has joined forces with The Open University in Scotland, welcoming the organisation onboard as a Gold Patron sponsor.
The partnership emphasises The Open University’s ongoing commitment to the hospitality and tourism industry in Scotland, and their bid to make it as easy and cost-effective as possible for businesses to upskill, reskill and grow their workforce talent.
Marc Crothall MBE, Chief Executive of the Scottish Tourism Alliance, said:
“We’re absolutely delighted to welcome the Open University in Scotland into the Scottish Tourism Alliance family as an official Patron sponsor. The support of a world-leader in innovative and accessible learning opportunities is hugely welcomed, particularly at a time when the industry is facing an unprecedented skills and labour shortages. We look forward to strengthening our partnership with David and the team at The Open University to ensure the industry collectively can overcome current challenges and thrive long-term”.
David Allen, Senior Partnerships Manager at The Open University in Scotland, commented:
“The Hospitality & Tourism sector is in the middle of a perfect storm, with business owners facing a daily challenge of maintaining service levels against a backdrop of increasing energy costs, interest rate hikes, high inflation and significant increases in day-to-day supply chain costs. At the same time, the need to attract and retain a workforce capable of helping the sector grow is now one of the biggest challenges being faced by business owners across Scotland, perhaps most acutely felt in some of our more rural tourism locations.
“Building on our mission of being open to all, regardless of age, location, sector or academic ability, the Open University in Scotland is now able to offer a vast range of business orientated qualifications and short courses, the majority of which can be provided at low or no cost, meaning there has never been a better or more prudent time for businesses to engage. Through our partnership with Marc and the team at the STA, we look forward to working with the sector more closely, offering high quality, flexible and cost-effective training solutions that will help upskill, reskill and grow workforce talent.”
Find out more about the partnership and The Open University in Scotland here.
