EDINBURGH NAPIER UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCE HOSPITALITY GRADUATE PATH

Edinburgh Napier University is excited to announce the launch of a new Hospitality & Tourism Path on the Graduate Apprenticeship in Business Management.

This exciting new program provides students with the opportunity to develop their skills in the hospitality and tourism industries while earning a fully funded Graduate Apprenticeship in BA (Hons) Business Management.

The Hospitality & Tourism industries are experiencing an exceptional demand for workers, but supply of talent is in decline. By offering a specialist fully-funded degree qualification in the sector, Edinburgh Napier University’s Graduate Apprenticeship can play an important role in responding to these skills

SWA COMMENTS ON TODAY’S ANNOUNCEMENT ON DRS

shortages, improve retention, build resilience and drive growth.

If you would like to hear more, join an online information session on March 9th, from 11 am until 12 pm, as part of Scottish Apprenticeship Week. Hosting the event will be Scott Killen, Employer Liaison and Recruitment Manager, who will provide an overview of Graduate Apprenticeships, and the opportunities for employers and applicants.

Fellow speakers will be Lynn Minnaert, Professor and Head of Subject, Tourism and Languages at Edinburgh Napier University, and Lawrence Durden, Sector Manager - Tourism at Skills Development Scotland.

SLTA WELCOMES TODAY’S DRS CHANGES BUT CALLS FOR CLARITY

The (SLTA) Scottish Licensed Trade has welcomed today’s confirmation by Circularity Scotland that upfront charges for drinks producers with lower sales volumes have been removed from the forthcoming deposit return scheme (DRS).

The SWA (Scottish Wholesale Association) welcomes Circularity Scotland’s announcement on the removal of upfront charges and retrospective payment terms for small producers and importers, including wholesalers.

“We’re pleased Circularity Scotland and the Scottish Government have listened to our concerns about the cash flow issues facing businesses. However, many concerns remain unanswered around price-marked packs, GS1 compliant barcodes, bonded warehouses and other issues.

“SWA will continue to push for an 18-month grace period to allow those small producers/importers to prepare for DRS as well as for a de minimis exemption for low volume products.

“There are still too many unanswered questions for producers and importers to sign up to the DRS in a week’s time. The 28th February deadline must be shelved in writing by the Scottish Government so businesses across the supply chain still have the confidence to keep trading in Scotland.”

Circularity Scotland, the scheme administrator, also confirmed that there will be improved payment terms for lower sales volumes and a much more simple labelling option for niche products.

Colin Wilkinson, SLTA managing director, commented: “We very much welcome the fact that Circularity Scotland has announced what it says is £22 million of cash flow support measures to help Scotland’s brewers, distillers, importers and drinks manufacturers prepare for the introduction of Scotland’s deposit return scheme.

“However, we still have serious concerns that the scheme currently being proposed will increase costs for the consumer and reduce the amount of choice available. Many key questions remain unanswered and Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity, has been unable to tell us how many producers – so far –have signed up for the scheme. The level of producer registration is crucial to the scheme’s success.