Tourism careers take off thanks to BAA (Glasgow): Scottish Ambassadors program gives students wings

Abstract

Purpose

Provides insight into the three‐year Scottish Ambassadors project, involving BAA (Glasgow) and Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU).

Design/methodology/approach

Describes how the airport employed tourism students, during their studies, to helping with check‐in procedures, promotion of airport facilities, queue control and calming, conflict resolution, language and first‐aid.

Findings

Illustrates the increasing importance of initiatives such as Scottish Ambassadors to modern learning experiences. The students reported a higher level of preparedness for working life from an early stage of their studies. Benefits for BAA were also tangible.

Practical implications

Shows how an initiative of this kind can foster links with local communities and how partnerships can be formed between private and public‐sector organizations.

Originality/value

Reveals that BAA, as well as the students, learned important lessons from the program.

Citation

(2007), "Tourism careers take off thanks to BAA (Glasgow): Scottish Ambassadors program gives students wings", Human Resource Management International Digest, Vol. 15 No. 6, pp. 34-36. https://doi.org/10.1108/09670730710820217