Training support programme for SMEs

In today's highly competitive tourism industry, continuous learning is the key to gaining competitive advantage. The visitor must take centre stage if we really want to sell Malta as an experience".

This was stated by MTA's CEO David Mifsud at the opening session of the Training Support Programme for SMEs, which forms part of the Tourism and Support Services Training Programme, partly funded by the EU's European Social Fund.

The training programme for small businesses, which runs until March 2007, entails five seminars and six one-to-one training and coaching sessions with programme trainers and business advisers. The programme is being organised by the MTA in collaboration with MISCO and Optimum Results, an Irish consultancy firm.

During his opening address Mr Mifsud also spoke about the quality of service offered which determines how good this experience is. Therefore, the "people dimension" within the industry is crucial. Mr Mifsud said: "The development of people in tourism is critical for building a culture of continuous change and improvement in terms of product and service delivery".

The key speaker during the first seminar of the programme held at The Victoria Hotel in Sliema, was Aidan Harte, managing director of Optimum Results, who spoke about the Irish experience in this regard.

He said that their experience of working with SME managers in Ireland over the past 11 years, and in Eastern Europe in more recent times is that most are quite knowledgable about matters directly relating to their own specific products and aspects of business, be it manufacturing gates for farms, cooking and serving food or selling garments in a clothes shop.

However, the major benefits of a broad based Management Skills Development Programme such as this are that "it gives them an insight into strategically managing their business for the future, in other words, working on their business rather than in their business".

The training support for SMEs programme is practical and hands-on, focusing specifically on and designed for small businesses, in order to help them implement high quality and effective development plans to foster growth within their respective companies.

It is aimed at improving the service across small hospitality and catering establishments within the tourism industry and to train individuals and stakeholders who do not usually have the opportunity of attending training programmes. At the end of the programme participants will have a concrete strategic marketing plan designed to their specific needs.

A Certificate in Management will be awarded by the Institute of Leadership and Management to each individual participant who completes and presents a strategic, company-specific marketing plan of an acceptable standard.

For further information, contact the MTA's Industry HR Development Unit on 2291-5401/8 or e-mail training@visitmalta.com.