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JOB PROFILE


“WHEN I SAW THE VACANCY AT SYHA, I KNEW IT WAS FOR


ME. I FELT IT WOULD BE A


MY VIEW… JAMES CUTHBERTSON


that I could balance this with being very hands on. It was through gaining this experience and excelling in my first supervisory position in a hostelling environment that I progressed to my current position of Duty Manager, deputising for the Hostel Manager and


helping with the development of the Youth Hostel in what I consider the best city in Scotland! Q What attracted you to working with SYHA?


Age: 26 How would you sum up your work at SYHA in a few words?: Exceeding expectations every day!


Q How long have you been working with SYHA?


I joined SYHA in July 2010, initially as Duty Supervisor at Glasgow Youth Hostel. Despite having a great deal of experience in the hospitality industry already, I gained a lot more business management experience as part of the management team in a busy city centre Youth Hostel. Also, I enjoyed the fact


It was while at university, studying towards a degree in Law and Politics, that I supported myself through my studies working in the hotel industry. From very early on, I realised I had a real passion for hospitality and delivering exceptional customer service. When I saw the vacancy at SYHA, I knew it was for me. I felt it would be a real challenge, as well as extremely rewarding, to help bring hostelling forward for future generations. Also, I was keen to improve the current service delivery, while continuing to offer


REAL CHALLENGE” James Cuthbertson, Duty Manager, Glasgow Youth Hostel provides an insight into his work for SYHA Hostelling Scotland


the unique experience that hostelling does. In addition, SYHA has a large network of Youth Hostels and a very clear management and operational structure in place which offers a diverse range of career development opportunities.


Q What are the main duties in your role?


Te best thing about my role is that it’s so varied... no two days are the same! Having chosen hospitality as my chosen career path, the thing I love most is meeting the different people coming through the door every day. I recruit and support the team at Glasgow from inductions on their first day, giving day-to- day support to delivering long-term training as well as managing staff schedules and holidays. I conduct regular health and safety inspections and complete the related paperwork. I oversee and make arrangements for current and future bookings. I am involved


with business plans,


setting budgets and brainstorming local


78 SCOTTISH HOSTELLER 2012


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