Among the 16 participants was Craig Fisher, from Dundee, who has been unemployed for 5 years.

Craig said: “It’s been an intensive 4 weeks but I’ve learned a lot and the skills I have developed will put me in good standing to start my career in the hospitality industry.

“As part of the training, I completed a work placement. It was great to get some hands on experience – something every employer is looking for.

“Finding a job has been difficult but thanks to this course and Craigowl, I am in a much better position than I was a month ago.”

The Introduction to Hospitality course was delivered by Craigowl Communities, part of the Hillcrest Group, a Dundee-based charity who works to help unemployed people move into work.

Mairi Buchanan, Craigowl Communities’ training development manager, said: “This is the first time we have delivered the Introduction to Hospitality course, but it is clear that demand for training for this sector is very high, both in terms of people looking for jobs and companies looking for trained staff.

“We would like to thank the abundance of local and national employers who have opened their doors to our trainees and supported us by providing work shadowing opportunities.”

Local employers who provided work experience placements included the West Park Centre, Roseangle Café, Arnolds Catering, Clarks Bakery, Dundee & Angus College, Tigh-Na-Murin Care Home, Ballumbie Court Care Home and Tayside Contracts.

The course was also supported by national chains including Apex, NHS Scotland, Redwood Leisure, Asda, Pizza Hut and KFC.

There are already plans in place for future courses to meet the demands of Dundee’s growing hospitality industry.

Mairi Buchanan added: “With regeneration of Dundee’s Waterfront and the V&A just around the corner, the number of hospitality jobs available will sky rocket so it is important to give unemployed Dundonians, who crave jobs, the skills to fill these positions.”