Scottish tourism needs more enthusiastic and bright people to see it as a first choice career. Springboard UK is a national organisation promoting this message to potential recruits, key influences and the industry itself.

Among Springboard's aims are:

• To create a well-known national network of specialist centres promoting career opportunities and stimulating interest in tourism. 
• To promote the uptake of tourism options within all levels of education.
• To raise the profile of the industry to potential jobseekers.
• To galvanise the support of the industry and other key partners.

There are many activities, promotions and actions that Springboard Scotland is currently undertaking to underpin the message that tourism is a first choice career. These activities include:

• Setting up ''Springteractive'' satellites in appropriate locations, Springteractive being Springboard's multimedia careers advisory package. Locations include Job Centres, Careers Advisory Offices, Schools and Colleges. It is intended that all Scottish secondary schools will have their own Springteractive CD-ROM.
• Influencing influencers through providing career guidance training on the tourism sector for career officers, guidance teachers etc. as well as promoting placements, taster days etc.
• Working with schools to provide entertaining industry speakers who will talk about their businesses or careers in tourism and hospitality.
• Recruitment fairs for young people / job seekers where they will be able to meet employers and advisors and be able to make an informed career choice.
• Providing appealing, informative materials about the industry, job/career opportunities, entry routes, training or sponsor employers.
• Work experience and taster days, which will allow young people and job seekers to try the industry first hand.
• Educational and fun curriculum projects which will involve young people in finding out more about the industry, eg The Glasgow Trail.
• Working with the employment services to organise sector specific job fairs, work placements for New Deal candidates etc.

If you would like to get involved in any of the activities described above or would like more general information on the work of Springboard Scotland, please write, call or e-mail us on:

Springboard Scotland,
c/o GCFT,
230 Cathedral Street,
Glasgow,
G1 2TG
Tel: 0141 552 5554
Fax: 0141 552 5554
Email: info.scotland@springboarduk.org.uk
Web: www.springboarduk.org.uk/regional/scotland/