FAQ

Here are some of the Frequently Asked Questions about HIT Scotland. The first section are General questions, followed by Scholarships, then Events.

General

What is HIT Scotland?

Hospitality Industry Trust (HIT) Scotland is a unique charity for the hospitality industry in Scotland, encouraging the development of anyone working or studying in the sector.  Led and supported by the same industry it serves, HIT Scotland offers opportunities to broaden skills and grow personally through our inspirational scholarship programme.  This is all made possible through industry support and sponsorship of fundraising events and outdoor challenges.  These events also offer everyone a chance to network with their industry community in a fun and relaxed way.

What does HIT Scotland do?

HIT Scotland’s main charitable objective is education, we empower inspirational development for those studying or working in Scottish hospitality.  We do this through our scholarship programme, which provides learning experiences designed to give you new skills or knowledge, to experience best practice, or refresh your way of thinking.  HIT runs a variety of fundraising events across Scotland and further afield to provide funding for the scholarship programme, and also some educational events.

Is there a HIT in other countries?

No, HIT Scotland is unique, and was created specifically to cater for the industry in Scotland.  There are other hospitality related companies who use the initials HIT, but they are not related to HIT Scotland in any way.  We are not affiliated with any other hospitality charity.

Can I become a member of HIT Scotland?

No, because we are not a member organisation!  Anyone can attend HIT Scotland events by buying a ticket for that event. We are fully inclusive and anyone working in or studying towards a career in Scottish hospitality can apply for a scholarship.

How long has HIT Scotland been around?

HIT Scotland started in 1994 with the aim to raise money to assist those working and studying in hospitality specifically in Scotland.  For the full story, visit this page at our website  https://hitscotland.co.uk/the-story-of-hit-scotland

How is HIT Scotland funded?
As a charity HIT Scotland relies on financial donations from the industry, both business and personal.  Currently HIT receives some funding from the Savoy Educational Trust and the Crerar Trust, and has a number of corporate sponsors who support HIT financially or in kind and by attending our events.  Some companies donate their time and expertise for our scholarships.  HIT runs many fundraising events around Scotland, and further afield, with people donating to the raffle and auctions.  HIT also runs a fundraising challenge event every two years, where a group takes on a challenge to raise money for our scholarship programme (they pay for their own trip and are sponsored to complete the challenge).  See our current sponsor list at our website here  https://hitscotland.co.uk/sponsors

How many people work for HIT Scotland?

HIT Scotland currently only has 4 employees in its Executive Team - the Chief Executive, the Operations Manager, the Scholarship & Finance Manager and the Administrative Assistant.  The charity is governed by a voluntary Board of Trustees, industry leaders who share their regional and professional expertise and are responsible for the strategic direction of the charity.  Each event has a voluntary committee who, along with an event manager, are responsible for the ideas, promotion and selling of that event.  For more information see this page at our website https://hitscotland.co.uk/people 

Can I volunteer with HIT Scotland?

HIT Scotland requires volunteers to help out at their events.  Often we ask local students to help out as that provides useful real-world experience for them that is related to their course, whether that is event management, cookery or front of house hospitality.  Our event committees are voluntary, but committee members have specific tasks they must do.  If you have some expertise you are able to provide, you could support HIT through our scholarship programme.  If you are interested in volunteering at an event, or getting involved in some way, let us know via our Contact Us page at our website https://hitscotland.co.uk/contact

I’m interested in joining a HIT event committee, how do I do that?

Each HIT Scotland event has a committee of local volunteers who help drive the theme, promotion and fundraising of that event.  Committee members must have the ability to offer their time and expertise to attend event meetings, and be connected within the local hospitality community to be able to encourage attendance and find prizes for the event.  Committee numbers are limited to ensure this is a cohesive group.  If you are interested in joining an event committee, please get in touch with HIT Scotland via the Contact Us page at our website and someone will get in touch with you https://hitscotland.co.uk/contact

I’m interested in being a HIT Trustee, can I do that?

HIT Scotland is guided by a board of Trustees made up of industry leaders who share their regional and professional expertise and are responsible for the strategic direction of the charity.  The Trustees are legally responsible for the charity and are chosen to reflect the industry across Scotland and to ensure the board has access to a variety of skills.  When spaces become available for new Trustees, an open and transparent application process will take place.  Keep an eye on our social media and newsletters for information on when we are looking for new Trustees.

What can I do to support HIT Scotland?

By supporting HIT Scotland, in whatever way, you will be playing your part in developing and growing the future of the industry in its most vital of all assets, our people.  There are many ways to show your support for HIT Scotland and to the hospitality industry in Scotland.  You could buy tickets to attend our fundraising events, provide raffle or auction prizes, become a sponsor, take part in one of our fundraising challenges, provide products for a fundraising event, drinks reception, provide free venues for our scholarships or meetings, or provide your expertise for a HIT Scotland scholarship.  If you’d like to support us, please get in touch to discuss how you can help via our website Contact us page https://hitscotland.co.uk/contact

What does it cost to be a HIT Scotland sponsor?

HIT Scotland can prepare a package to suit your budget and the events you are interested in.  Get in touch via our website Contact us page and our Chief Executive will give you a call to discuss  https://hitscotland.co.uk/contact

Can I visit HIT Scotland?

HIT Scotland does not have an office, so any meetings usually take place in various hotels around Scotland!

How do I contact HIT Scotland?

The best way to get in touch is via the Contact form on our website, as someone will always be around to deal with those enquiries.  https://hitscotland.co.uk/contact

Scholarships

What is a HIT Scotland scholarship?

A HIT Scotland scholarship is a short learning experience, designed to give you new skills or knowledge, to experience best practice, or refresh your way of thinking.  The content of each scholarship varies depending on your personal development objectives, and the scholarship you have applied for.

This could be a skills course created especially for our HIT Scotland group, or a place on a training course to suit your needs.  Or you could spend a few days learning from the best in the industry, speaking to experts in their field, researching ideas to take back to your own workplace.  Scholarships are fully funded opportunities, HIT pay for the experience, travel, accommodation and food.  HIT decide what they will offer to you based on your application.

How do you apply for a scholarship?

Application is via the HIT Scotland website.  This is usually open once a year in September, and you have to complete an online application form.  There is a short interview for those who are shortlisted for a scholarship, with the scholarship winners being announced in February.  Not everyone who applies will get a scholarship.

Who can apply for a scholarship?

HIT Scotland’s scholarship programme is open to anyone working in or studying towards a career in the Scottish hospitality industry.  It is open to all ages (must be over 16, some opportunities are over 18), levels and job roles, and the scholarship you apply for must be relevant to your career.  If you move from Scotland, or leave the hospitality industry, you will forfeit your scholarship.

If you have previously received a scholarship, we ask that you leave two years before applying again, to give you time to put the learning into practice at work, before your next learning experience.

Can you give me money to pay for my college course or my studying needs?

HIT Scotland does not provide financial assistance in this way.

Find out more about the scholarships at our Scholarships page https://hitscotland.co.uk/scholarships

Events

What events do HIT Scotland run?

HIT Scotland hosts around 24 events every year, taking place regionally in Scotland and some further afield.  They all share the same unique HIT Scotland spirit and the same objective of empowering development of the industry through raising funds.  The events are also an ideal way to catch up with industry colleagues, past and present, whilst at the same time, play your part in supporting the industry we work in.  HIT also runs educational events for the industry.  Take a look at our events page for the latest https://hitscotland.co.uk/events 

Who attends HIT Scotland events?

HIT Scotland events are attended by businesses and individuals from across all parts of the hospitality and tourism industry, and from companies who supply the industry.  You can take a full table to invite your own staff or guests, or just buy a couple of tickets and join a mixed table.

What happens at HIT Scotland events?

We have lunch, dinner, and also active fundraising events!  Our lunches and dinners usually begin with a drinks reception, before heading through to the main room for the meal, with some entertainment or a speaker, and the all important raffle and auction for fundraising.  We also have a football and golf fundraising event, and a fundraising challenge.  Our educational events take the form of a conference, with a variety of speakers and workshops.