A total of 36 individuals from the Ballymena area are celebrating this week, after graduating from the NI Hospitality School and securing full-time employment within local award-winning hotels.
The NI Hospitality School encompasses a number of academies, including a bar academy, a chef academy, and a foodservice academy. It was established in 2021, following a collaboration between three Ballymena-based hotels: the Galgorm Resort, the Tullyglass House Hotel and the Adair Arms.
Eddie McKeever, managing director of the McKeever Hotel Group and chairman of the NI Hospitality School, said that the initiative has far exceeded its goal and is playing an essential role in elevating skills and helping to secure the sector’s future.
“At the NI Hospitality School, we recognise the significant challenges the industry faces, particularly around recruitment and developing a sustainable and highly skilled workforce,” said McKeever.
“Through targeted training and support, we’re working to bridge these gaps by equipping individuals with the expertise and confidence needed to maintain a thriving career within the hospitality sector.”
Initially funded by independent charity the Gallaher Trust, the NI Hospitality School has successfully attracted private-sector funding from several high-profile organisations, including Henderson Foodservice and the Bushmills Distillery.
With courses delivered by Northern Regional College and South Eastern Regional College, the school was set up to provide opportunities for skills development, address the challenges of recruiting staff, and highlight that a career in hospitality can offer plenty of career development opportunities.
“By creating opportunities for meaningful employment and continuous professional development, we’re ensuring that both employees and employers have the tools they need to succeed, ultimately contributing to a more resilient and dynamic hospitality industry in Northern Ireland,” said McKeever.
