Around 300 event managers and students will be given access to one of the world’s biggest sporting events to build a major event skills legacy for Scotland.

The once in a lifetime project will see those studying and involved in the events industry in Scotland attend The 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles. The move, organised by the Scottish Government and Ryder Cup Europe, will boost efforts to ensure Scotland remains the ‘perfect stage’ for major events.

Scotland’s Commonwealth Games and Sport Minister Shona Robison revealed the plan at a Sport Accord today as she spoke on how the Commonwealth Games and Ryder Cup are creating a skills legacy to attract future high-calibre events.

Ms Robison told delegates:

“Scotland is the now well established as a world leading event destination and we are determined to grow our events industry, and the expertise within it, to deliver events which provide impact and international profile for Scotland.

“The Commonwealth Games and Ryder Cup events are bringing tangible physical, social and economic benefits Scotland, with new world class facilities, improved infrastructure and will leave a skills legacy long after the athletes have gone home.

“We will invite 300 event management staff and students to the Ryder Cup to see at first-hand to how a truly global event is organised. This is just one of number of initiatives to leave a developed skills base that future organisers can use to deliver world-class events.

“The Host Broadcaster Training Initiative at the Commonwealth Games will create a new generation of broadcast talent and give Scottish firms a wider pool of staff to cover major sporting events, with over 200 students receiving work experience and another 400 students and lecturers take part in world-class training.

“In our tourism industry, VisitScotland is working to improve the level of service through programmes such as Glasgow Welcomes, the Greener Glasgow Tourism Programme and an Accessible Tourism Programme to assist disabled travellers. And we are providing financial support for work, training and volunteering opportunities for young in the sports and events sectors.

“We are extremely proud to host the Commonwealth Games and the Ryder Cup and we will deliver spectacular events which will reinforce Scotland’s reputation as a brilliant place to visit and do business.”

Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer for EventScotland said: “The Ryder Cup is one of the world’s biggest sporting events, and this programme will give current and future event professionals a unique opportunity to get valuable first-hand experience at Gleneagles. Scotland is the perfect stage for events, and our talented pool of event managers is part of the reason for our success to date. Whether through event-based training or the important tourism service programmes being run by VisitScotland, we must continue to invest in our people to ensure we retain a high-level of workforce for the industry in years to come.”

For more information on Sport Accord, see: http://www.sportaccord.com/en/