Over 120 students from schools across Fife—including Waid Academy, Glenrothes High School, Balwearie High School, Glenwood High School, Madras College, St Andrews RC High School, and Inverkeithing High School—participated in the Hospitality & Tourism Takeover Day at Fife College’s St Brycedale Campus, Kirkcaldy, on 29 January 2025.
Hands-on Experience in Hospitality, Tourism & Catering
Organised by Fife Council’s Economic Development Team, Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Fife, Fife College, and the Northeast Fife Coastal Alliance (NEFCA), the event introduced young people to careers in hospitality, catering, and tourism through interactive workshops, including:
- Professional Cookery Demonstrations – Students learned food preparation techniques from industry professionals.
- Cabin Crew Training – Those interested in aviation and travel careers participated in airline hospitality simulations.
- Mocktail-Making & Hospitality Skills – Pupils developed customer service and hospitality management skills.
- Virtual Reality (VR) & Digital Tourism – A high-tech exploration of tourism innovation.
- Sustainability in Food & Travel – Led by Greener Kirkcaldy, students explored eco-friendly hospitality practices.
- Heritage Tourism & Destination Marketing – Insights from the Carnegie Dunfermline Museum on the role of culture in Scottish tourism.
Industry Experts Provide Career Insights
Specialists from Greener Kirkcaldy, Welcome to Fife, and the Carnegie Dunfermline Trust, along with academic experts from Fife College, shared valuable knowledge on tourism careers, sustainable travel, and hospitality job opportunities in Scotland.
Pamela Stevenson, Service Manager for Fife Council’s Economic Development Team, said:
"The Hospitality & Tourism Takeover Day was a fantastic opportunity for young people to gain real-world experience in these thriving industries. By engaging with industry experts and participating in hands-on sessions, students developed essential employability skills and discovered rewarding careers in hospitality, catering, tourism, and travel. With tourism playing a vital role in Fife’s economy, this event inspired the next generation to explore these exciting sectors."
Supporting Future Careers in Hospitality & Tourism
This initiative is part of a wider effort to connect young people with hospitality, catering, and tourism career pathways in Fife, ensuring they are well-prepared for future employment.
Find out more about the Culture of Enterprise Programme: InvestFife – Culture of Enterprise
