Nineteen members of the Buzzworks team from across Scotland came together for the launch of the company’s prestigious Management Acceleration Programme (MAP), a unique training initiative designed to develop future leaders within both the company and the hospitality industry.
First introduced in 2015, MAP provides the team with a comprehensive six-month programme that includes 12 group sessions at the leading hospitality group’s Training Centre in Kilmarnock. In addition, they will spend some one to one with their managers to work on their personal development as well as their own behavioural assessment to understand their management style.
MAP offers participants a wealth of benefits, including in-depth knowledge of menus through food and beverage tastings, an appreciation of the operational and financial challenges faced by restaurants, improved teamwork with front-of-house and back-of-house staff, and training workshops delivered by internal training team and external consultants to enhance their skills and knowledge.
Now into its ninth year, MAP has proven hugely successful, with over 20 of the current Senior Managers and Chefs at Buzzworks recognising their career progression as a result of completing the training, with many others having moved on to further senior roles outwith the business.
Nicola Watt, Head of People at Buzzworks, said: “We believe that investing in our team is essential to the long-term success of our business.
“While other businesses may offer similar talent development programmes, Buzzworks’ MAP stands out by providing training across multiple levels of the organisation, including kitchen staff.
“This unique approach allows employees to gain a broader understanding of the company's business model and operations, as well as gain qualifications that will stand them in good stead within the industry.
“The programme not only provides a valuable opportunity for our team members to develop their leadership skills and contribute to the growth of our company but has proven to be a fantastic springboard to the future of previous graduates, providing participants with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their careers.”
One such success story is Grant Cameron, from Troon, who completed the Management Acceleration Programme in 2002 and has since had two promotions. Now a Deputy Manager at The Tree House.
He said: “Completing the Management Acceleration Programme (MAP) has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. The training gave me a deeper understanding of how every part of the business works, from operations to team dynamics, and really helped me build the confidence and skills I needed to progress.
“Since completing the programme, I’ve been promoted twice and now serve as Deputy Manager at The Tree House. I can honestly say that MAP played a crucial role in my development, and I’m excited to see how it continues to shape the future of other Buzzworks team members.”
With a written exam followed by a graduation ceremony at the end of the pioneering six-month programme, candidates will also earn their Level 1 in wine and spirits from The Wine & Spirit Education Trust.
Nicola continued: “At Buzzworks we believe that learning and development is integral to attracting and retaining our talent, with training viewed as a crucial part to provide our future managers with the confidence to deliver an exceptional experience for our guests and employees alike.
“I’d like to wish the latest candidates the best of luck as they embark on this exciting opportunity.”
To find out more about the current vacancies and benefits of working at Buzzworks, please visit www.belongatbuzzworks.com.