The Hospitality Industry Trust (HIT) Scotland has launched a £100,000 scholarship scheme to help leisure, hospitality, travel, catering and tourism businesses in Scotland inspire their employees during the recession.

Applications are no being received for an emerging talent scholarship scheme, which aims to identify 200 ambitious and talented individuals to attend training courses.

HIT estimates that the programme, now in its sixth year, could potentially return more than £1m through new skills, promoting best practice, improving staff retention across the industry and raising aspirations to encourage professional development.

Previous recipients have attended the Disney Institute in Florida, Ecole du Hotelier in Lausanne, Switzerland, and Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration in New York State. Aspiring chefs have been placed in Michelin starred kitchens and sommeliers with top wine experts. HR, marketing and events staff are also covered through the scheme.

Entries close on the 11th December 2009 and the scholarships will be awarded at the emerging talent conference on the 3rd February 2010 at Perth Concert Hall.

David Cochrane, chief executive of HIT Scotland, said: "In the short term the emerging talent scholarships help stretch hard training budgets and through scholars sharing their experiences with colleagues.

"Individuals benefit from the prestige of the award and the new skills they develop. In the longer term the scholarship programme aims to find and nurture the next generation of leaders, the people who will push the industry forward for the next half century. Details: www.hitscotland.org