Tourism & Hospitality: Developing Technology Skills for the Future

CodeClan & Traveltech for Scotland Event Recap

Traveltech for Scotland was delighted to participate in a partner event with CodeClan on Wednesday 27 January 2021. The event, Tourism & Hospitality: Developing Technology Skills for the Future, focused on the value and benefits of acquiring tech and digital skills for the future, with different learning perspectives from those in the tourism, tech and hospitality sector.

After a warm welcome from Kate Southern, Head of Events and Sponsorship at CodeClan, Lesley Judge, Project Manager for Traveltech for Scotland, gave a brief overview of the cluster, and its aims and objectives; then Josh Ryan-Saha, Director of Traveltech for Scotland, spoke about the current situation in tourism and hospitality right now and why technology is so important. Steph Paterson, Head of Admissions at CodeClan, gave a useful overview of the organisation, information on numerous funding options to help learn and study, and a diverse range of courses from taster sessions to longer, more in-depth programmes.

Our speakers, Amy Browne, an experienced hospitality industry professional who has recently graduated from a 16-week software course at CodeClan to become a software developer, Pete Duncan, Head of Visitor Experience at Mercat Tours, and Rachel Smith, Business Development Manager for online training platform Tayl, offered valuable perspectives on learning, acquiring tech skills and their own journeys with technology.

Catch up on the event on video.

Takeaways from speakers Amy, Pete and Rachel

· Learning and gaining new skills can build tremendous confidence, help us stay resilient and face challenges — all highly advantageous skills to have, particularly right now

· Transferable skills are hugely valuable, don’t underestimate what skills you already have when changing career -chances are, these will stand you in good stead in a new environment

· Be curious and keep an open mind when learning new things which may be challenging. Instead of panicking, try and work out what the problem is and find the solution

· Be open to learning new things — don’t default to telling yourself ‘you can’t do it’

· Don’t be afraid to try new things or take risks when considering learning and training — what have you got to lose?

· ‘Be stupid’— or ‘be brave’— that is, don’t be fazed by technology and don’t stop asking questions to try and understand things in technology, until you get the right answers and you’re 100% sure that you’ve understood

· Find solutions online and teach yourself. There are so many ways to do this, from watching YouTube videos, to webinars and free courses and programmes, or taster sessions to decide if something is for you, without making a big commitment early on

· View technology as a bridge — to get you where you want to go, or be, or to help you make the right decisions, for you, or for your business — and share your experiences with others

· Open up your network– if you’re working or learning in a new or different sector, extend your network to make new connections and speak to people who can help and support you and offer advice

· ‘Know enough to be dangerous’ and use your expertise to help lead the evolution!

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