Hotel group’s workforce plates up for key visit
A hotel group’s booming young workforce has been given the governmental seal of approval.
Staff at Costley & Costley met with Jamie Hepburn MSP, Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills.
And he sampled some of Ayrshire’s finest hospitality during a visit to their flagship Lochgreen House Hotel.
The Minister presented certificates of achievement to 12 team members who had successfully completed specialist training funded by the Developing Young Workforce ( DYW) Ayrshire Programme.
The training was aimed at the hotel group’s young, part- time staff – many of whom are students, and designed to provide a greater insight into the different career opportunities the hospitality industry has to offer.
The programme was delivered by Ayrshire College and covered a wide range of topics including customer care, time management, personal presentation and hygiene, setting a table, and HR.
Certificates were also presented to a number of young team members who have been undertaking the Costley & Costley training and development programme funded through the Flexible Workforce Development Fund, delivered in partnership with Ayrshire College.
Mr Hepburn who was welcomed by Bill Costley, Chairman, Costley & Costley, and fellow directors, was presented to the team and learned first- hand the complexities of working in a fine dining country house hotel.
He said: “Not only did this event showcase the industry at its very best, it also highlighted the benefits of the Developing Young Workforce agenda by enabling schools and colleges to engage directly with industry.”
Costley & Costley is one of Ayrshire’s largest employers with more than 300 full and part- time staff working across the business.
Bill added: “We are fortunate to attract a great number of young people to the business every year who combine their studies with working within the Group.
“However, this training has enabled them to recognise the very many different career pathways that are open to them drawing on a variety of different skills.
“It’s a terrific business to be involved with and although you might start your training in Ayrshire it’s an industry that can take you all over the world if you have the passion and commitment.”
Founded in 1988 by Bill and Cath Costley, the hotel group’s portfolio includes Lochgreen, Brig o’Doon, Doonbrae, Highgrove, Ellisland country house hotels, the Cochrane Inn, Souter’s Inn and a patisserie and chocolatier.