Local Initiatives
There are a range of local initiatives in the area which may be of interest to you if you have your own tourism or hospitality business, or are looking to start a career in this field.
Further information can be found below:
Destination Loch Lomond
SE Dunbartonshire and SE Forth Valley have developed a strategic approach to investment within Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park via the development of an overriding strategy – Destination Loch Lomond. This strategy aims to position Loch Lomond & The Trossachs as one of Scotland’s key visitor attractions and in doing so strengthen Dunbartonshire’s tourism industry.
This strategy fits closely with the objectives of Smart Successful Scotland and the aspirations in the Scottish Executives “Framework for Change” which seeks to grow the value of the tourism industry by 50% in real terms by 2015. Further information can be found on the Scottish Enterprise website.
KIT-OUT the Park - Technology to help Tourism Businesses
If you run, or are a supplier to, a small or medium-sized tourism business in the National Park and have a business problem you just can’t get to grips with, a solution may be closer than you think. An innovative project is under way to make it easier for businesses to find out about new technology and scientific developments as well as develop innovative products and processes.
The longer-term aim of the KIT-OUT the Park programme is to help businesses become more efficient, improve business practices and environmental performance, and generate real business benefits.
The project which is a partnership between Loch Lomond and TheTrossachs National Park Authority, Scottish Enterprise Dunbartonshire and Glasgow Caledonian University and is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, will focus on five main areas:
Sustainable construction
Food technology
IT/communications
Green tourism/renewable technology
Yield management
If you are a business in the National Park area you and would like to tap into university knowledge and expertise to help you develop your business, or if you simply wish to discuss the project, contact Abu-Zar Aziz at abu-zar-aziz@gcal.ac.uk or telephone 0141 331 8482.
West Dunbartonshire Council
WDC offers a range of financial support for local businesses in the West Dunbartonshire area to help with issues such as workforce development; new business support or grant assistance for capital expansion. Further information can be found on the West Dunbartonshire Council website.
Springboard
Springboard UK is a charitable trust who provides support for individuals looking to develop a career in the hospitality, leisure, travel or tourism arena. Further information on a range of national and local level initiatives such as the FutureChef and Ambassador programmes can be found on the Springboard website within the Springboard Scotland link.
Clydebank College
The college offers a range of industry recognised qualifications across the field of hospitality, travel and tourism. These courses can be offered to individuals looking to enter or develop a career in this area as well as commercially to those currently employed in the sector and keen to enhance their role further. Courses vary from NC to HND level as well as SVQ and City & Guilds certified qualifications. Further information can be found on the Clydebank College website.
The Lennox Partnership
The Lennox Partnership is responsible for the delivery of training programmes and initiatives designed to help local people and businesses improve their current economic prospects. Within the tourism and hospitality sector, The Lennox Partnership deliver the Working In Tourism and Hospitality initiative (WITH) which provides free training to adults over 18 years who are looking to commence employment within this sector. Further information can be found on their website.
Further information can be found below:
Destination Loch Lomond
SE Dunbartonshire and SE Forth Valley have developed a strategic approach to investment within Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park via the development of an overriding strategy – Destination Loch Lomond. This strategy aims to position Loch Lomond & The Trossachs as one of Scotland’s key visitor attractions and in doing so strengthen Dunbartonshire’s tourism industry.
This strategy fits closely with the objectives of Smart Successful Scotland and the aspirations in the Scottish Executives “Framework for Change” which seeks to grow the value of the tourism industry by 50% in real terms by 2015. Further information can be found on the Scottish Enterprise website.
KIT-OUT the Park - Technology to help Tourism Businesses
If you run, or are a supplier to, a small or medium-sized tourism business in the National Park and have a business problem you just can’t get to grips with, a solution may be closer than you think. An innovative project is under way to make it easier for businesses to find out about new technology and scientific developments as well as develop innovative products and processes.
The longer-term aim of the KIT-OUT the Park programme is to help businesses become more efficient, improve business practices and environmental performance, and generate real business benefits.
The project which is a partnership between Loch Lomond and TheTrossachs National Park Authority, Scottish Enterprise Dunbartonshire and Glasgow Caledonian University and is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, will focus on five main areas:
If you are a business in the National Park area you and would like to tap into university knowledge and expertise to help you develop your business, or if you simply wish to discuss the project, contact Abu-Zar Aziz at abu-zar-aziz@gcal.ac.uk or telephone 0141 331 8482.
West Dunbartonshire Council
WDC offers a range of financial support for local businesses in the West Dunbartonshire area to help with issues such as workforce development; new business support or grant assistance for capital expansion. Further information can be found on the West Dunbartonshire Council website.
Springboard
Springboard UK is a charitable trust who provides support for individuals looking to develop a career in the hospitality, leisure, travel or tourism arena. Further information on a range of national and local level initiatives such as the FutureChef and Ambassador programmes can be found on the Springboard website within the Springboard Scotland link.
Clydebank College
The college offers a range of industry recognised qualifications across the field of hospitality, travel and tourism. These courses can be offered to individuals looking to enter or develop a career in this area as well as commercially to those currently employed in the sector and keen to enhance their role further. Courses vary from NC to HND level as well as SVQ and City & Guilds certified qualifications. Further information can be found on the Clydebank College website.
The Lennox Partnership
The Lennox Partnership is responsible for the delivery of training programmes and initiatives designed to help local people and businesses improve their current economic prospects. Within the tourism and hospitality sector, The Lennox Partnership deliver the Working In Tourism and Hospitality initiative (WITH) which provides free training to adults over 18 years who are looking to commence employment within this sector. Further information can be found on their website.