Previous magazine articles 
Being sociable is our business
In a society where the terms 'ASBO' and 'neds' are becoming all the more familiar and we are told regularly that anti-social behaviour is on the up, it is important for the hospitality industry to highlight how we can and do help to tackle this pertinent issue.
James Hacon explains what's available help the disadvantaged in Scottish society…
With the Scottish Executive's recent review of the Antisocial Behaviour (Scotland) Act and the introduction of the fixed penalty notices, the issue of youth behaviour and so-called anti-social behaviour is a key issue facing Scotland and the UK as a whole.
As an employer within the hospitality industry, there is huge potential to give many of the young people, who are most vulnerable to become involved in 'anti-social behaviour,' the opportunity to become involved in something practical and feel passionate about part of their life.
Many would remember the work of Jamie Oliver with his Fifteen project, whose continued aim is to 'inspire disadvantaged young people – homeless, unemployed, overcoming drug or alcohol problems - to believe that they can create for themselves great careers in the restaurant industry.' Although not the only organisation of its kind, it does highlight the huge potential and success of such projects.
While I am not suggesting that we go searching on our local street corner for our next employee, there are actions that every one of us can take that could potentially have dramatic effects on the lives of people around us.
Supporting organisations that were established to bring about such change is one way of helping the cause.
Springboard UK, provides information, opportunities and funding for young people currently in the hospitality industry or looking for a suitable vocation within it.
As well as promoting careers in hospitality and tourism, Springboard also provides over 14,000 people each year with free, objective advice through various initiatives that designed to support the curriculum in schools and colleges. Projects such as the FutureChef competition provide assistance and advice from professional chefs for 12–16-year-olds across the UK, allowing them the opportunity to view the hospitality industry as a future career option while gaining valuable experience in restaurant kitchens.
Meanwhile, HIT Scotland provides bursaries and scholarships to young people across the country, to help towards the cost of studying catering and hospitality and to encourage them to stay when they have concluded their studies.
The scholarships are judged on - among other factors - academic achievement, successes in the workplace and commitment to the industry, and are an ideal way of encouraging young people to advance up the career ladder and to hone their hospitality skills in the process.
As an industry, hospitality is based around the concept of being sociable and in doing so it can provide unique opportunities to those who aren't necessarily academically strong. So, despite the stigma of youth crime and antisocial behaviour, there are plenty of ways of helping young people to focus on their future by working in catering and hospitality. With career support and financial assistance, students will have a better chance of gaining a foothold in the sector and, ultimately, remaining in the industry as their careers progress.
www.hitscotland.co.uk
www.springboarduk.org.uk
This article has been edited from its original version. For the complete feature, please see Catering in Scotland magazine November/December 2008.
To join our database, go to
Media Pack on this website and click on
Subscribe.
