Ref. 21287-15Anyone visiting Swindon on business and staying in one of the town's many hotels should be among the first to benefit from a new initiative aimed at improving morale, and, as a result, levels of service within the local hotel industry.

Devised by the Tourism Skills Network and managed by Wiltshire Tourism, the Supervisory Management Training programme is a five-week course developed to help hotel supervisors and managers provide a rewarding, structured and progressive environment for their staff.

Funded by the South West Regional Development Agency through its Skills Development Fund and Business Link Berkshire & Wiltshire, the first of these courses attracted heads from seven of the region's major hotels the Stanton House Hotel, Village, Marriott, Goddard Arms, Hilton, Villiers Inn and The Lydiard.

The training encourages delegates to share best tips on how to help staff get the most out of their careers.

Manager of the Stanton House Hotel Iain Burgess said he was keen to improve on customer care.

He said: "The success of any hotel relies on the quality of the team, which is why it is so important that we, as hotel managers, know what we can do to help our employees realise their potential.

"We want our staff to feel supported and rewarded for their hard work, and hope that with the help of this course, we can create a working environment that encourages staff to not only want to join the hotel workforce, but also to stay long term."

Project co-ordinator for the Tourism Skills Network in Wiltshire Julia Drummond said: "The course has been useful in providing a forum for the exchange of ideas and discussion.

"We hope delegates will use this experience to enhance management pro-cesses, ensuring the tourism and hospitality industry continues to thrive in Wiltshire."

Call Julia Drummond on 07733 327834.