‘Training Support for SME's’ for Serviced Accommodation and Catering Establishments

Due to excellent response from the industry a second intake of the Training Support for SME’s is being organised bt the MTA's Industry HR Development Unit. The Training Programme is aimed at providing management training and business advice to small and independent businesses to help them improve business performance within their respective companies. This programme forms part of the ‘Tourism and Support Services Training Programme’ promoted by the Malta Tourism Authority.

The Target participants would be Owner managers; General Managers; Operations Managers of serviced accommodation and catering establishments

The second programme will be starting on the 28th March 2007 and runs until June 2007. The programme will cover various topics ranging from:

• Strategic Management;

• Developing a Marketing Focused Business;

• Selling and Customer Care;

• Managing Finances and Information;

• The Entrepreneur and Growth;

as well as Business Support from a Professional Business Advisor who will visit the establishment on a regular basis for one-to-one training and coaching sessions. A Certificate in Management endorsed by the Institute of Leadership and Management (UK) will be given on completion of programme. These training programmes cost Lm 1,200 + VAT per delegate however are free of charge as they are part financed by the European Social Fund.

The ‘Tourism and Support Services Training Programme’ was part funded by the EU Structural Funds. The training activities started in September 2006 and will be completed by September 2007 which will have trained over 700 people by the time all reach an end. The project was developed due to the need to provide a holistic approach towards training and human resource development in tourism and tourism-support services. The programme which was split into five activities included training in service culture in the tourism industry, benchmarking improvement of standards and working practices, training transport service providers’ on the ability to communicate with tourists and provide helpful information about Malta, training assistance and support for small and independent businesses to help them implement high quality and effective development plans to foster growth within their respective companies, as well as a study on lifelong learning for the tourism sector. All the training programmes provided were free of charge to the participants.